Set off against Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈsɛt/ /ˈɔf/ /əˈɡeɪnst/, /əˈɡɛnst

SET-awf-uh-GAYNST or uh-GENST

UK

sˈɛt/ /ˈɒf/ /ɐɡˈɛnst

SET-of-ug-ENST

Definition

To balance or subtract one amount or value from another, usually to reduce a total. Used in accounting, tax, and general contexts when comparing or offsetting costs, expenses, or benefits.

Usage & Nuances

Typically formal and used in business, finance, or legal contexts. Common collocations include 'expenses set off against income' or 'losses set off against profits.' Not commonly used in everyday conversation. Often confusable with 'offset,' which is more general and less formal.

• Spanish: compensar con - descontar de
• Portuguese (BR): compensar com - abater de
• Portuguese (PT): compensar com - deduzir de
• Chinese (Simplified): 抵消 - 用…抵扣
• Chinese (Traditional): 抵消 - 用…抵扣
• Hindi: के विरुद्ध समायोजित करना - के मुकाबले गिनना
• Arabic: يُخصم من - يُوازن بـ
• Bengali: বিয়োজন করা - হিসেবে হিসাব করা
• Russian: засчитать против - вычесть из
• Japanese: 相殺する - 差し引く
• Vietnamese: bù trừ vào - khấu trừ so với
• Korean: 상쇄하다 - 제하다
• Turkish: denkleştirmek - mahsup etmek
• Urdu: کے خلاف حساب کرنا - منہا کرنا
• Indonesian: dikenakan terhadap - dikompensasi dengan

Example Sentences

You can set off against your expenses when calculating your taxable income.

basic

Her losses were set off against her previous profits.

basic

Interest earned may be set off against interest paid on loans.

basic

They tried to set off against the costs of repairs by claiming insurance.

natural

Any refunds will be set off against your outstanding balance.

natural

The money we spent on supplies will be set off against next month's budget.

natural