set off vs lead off

set off and lead off both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
set off	No	No	Yes	No
lead off	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, lead off is a hypernym of set off; that is, lead off is a word with a broader meaning than set off:

Other hypernyms of set off include begin, commence, start.

set off (verb)	lead off (verb)
cause to burst with a violent release of energy	set in motion, cause to start
set in motion or cause to begin	teach immoral behavior to
direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
provoke or stir up
put in motion or move to act
depart for someplace
make up for