set off down the street

[kyondaime]

Hi,
in this sentence I think set off down street means go down street, but in the dictionary set off means to begin a journey. What do you think? here is the contexte :
Dumbledor slipped the Put-Outer back inside his cloak and set off down the street toward number four, where he sat down on the wall next to the cat.

And down street means go from a higher number for exemple he's standing next to number seven and go down street toward number four?

Thank you

 

[wildan1]

down the street can either mean further on the same street or more literally, descending a street on a hill.

It has nothing to do with address numbers.

 

[polyglotwannabe]

He set off down the street towards...
It is perfect standard English = he started off down the street towards...
He started to move in that direction.

 

[polyglotwannabe]

It is also used to denote you are going on a long trip.
We set off for Chicago early the next morning...

 

[rrose17]

I think there’s a nuance here that should be pointed out. To set off down the street gives the impression that there is a purpose or a destination in mind. To my mind it’s different from simply to start walking down the street.

 

[kyondaime]

Thank you so much for you explanations

 

[polyglotwannabe]

I think there’s a nuance here that should be pointed out. To set off down the street gives the impression that there is a purpose or a destination in mind. To my mind it’s different from simply to start walking down the street.

Yes, definitely. I missed that. I agree. There's a determination to go wherever one is going.

 

[kyondaime]

So can we say that :
- To set off down the street toward number four (there is more determination in going there and it's very dificult that somebody can make me change my mind)
- To start off/go down the street towards toward number four (less determination and I can easily change my mind).

Did I get it right?

 

[polyglotwannabe]

Determination in the way of having a clear idea of where you are going as opposed to starting off down the street walking aimlessly. I guess. A nuance is a nuance, it is subtle but it is there.

 

[kyondaime]

Ok thank you so much

 

[polyglotwannabe]

Ok thank you so much

You're welcome. Anytime!.