dead set

[ ded set ded set ]

adjective

1. firmly decided or determined; resolved:

   His family was dead set against the marriage.

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

adverb

1. absolutely

   he is dead set against going to Spain

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dead set¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

He was part of an extreme, racialized white faction in the Louisiana state house that was clearly dead-set against honoring King.

From The Daily Beast

While he was quite comfortable telling us all about it, his wife was dead set against it.

From The Daily Beast

Madison was dead set against it, partly on the grounds that his state of Virginia would be a big loser in any such assumption.

From The Daily Beast

Why then does Team Romney seem dead set on making such a breakthrough performance nearly impossible?

From The Daily Beast

Someone dead-set against buying insurance can choose to remain without coverage and pay the tax.

From The Daily Beast

Stopford who, at first, was dead set on digging agreed to have a dart at Kavak Tepe.

From Project Gutenberg

He made a speech the other day, all about Young Wales, a regular dead set at them, and he'll sweep the poll after this.

From Project Gutenberg

Pug leaned over and put his muffled mouth close to Kentuckys ear: They got a dead set on us167 here, he shouted.

From Project Gutenberg

"Don't make a dead set for a man the first time you see him," recommended Mr. Pendleton, grimly.

From Project Gutenberg

Them d--n temperance workers are dead set agin us, an' it looks as if they'd make trouble.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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