dead set

American  

[ded set, ded set] / ˈdɛd ˈsɛt, ˈdɛd ˌsɛt /

adjective

1. firmly decided or determined; resolved.

   His family was dead set against the marriage.

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noun

1. a serious or determined attempt; firm effort.

   He made a dead set at winning the championship.

2. Hunting. the stiff posture assumed by a hunting dog in indicating the presence and location of game.

dead set British  

adverb

1. absolutely

   he is dead set against going to Spain

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noun

1. the motionless position of a dog when pointing with its muzzle towards game

adjective

1. (of a hunting dog) in this position

interjection

1. slang an expression of affirmation

   dead set, I worked from dawn to dusk

Etymology

Origin of dead set

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

Knueppel says he learned it by a being kid trying to escape an entire court of grown men who were dead set on stopping him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

With Poland dead set against it, that means either France or Italy, both home to rowdy agricultural lobbies, would have to sign on.

From Barron's • Dec. 30, 2025

"The very fact they were dead set on employing these independent advocates themselves says something about the culture - its control, and just not even beginning to understand the nature of independence."

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2025

In this new, revamped age of "The Bachelor," it seems the producers are dead set on selling change.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2024

But he was dead set on finding out.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Related Words

• adamant
• austere
• definite
• exact
• fixed
• hard-line
• harsh
• inflexible
• intransigent
• rigorous
• solid
• stern
• stringent
• uncompromising
• unyielding