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

“You seemed pretty dead set on leaving me behind yesterday,” I said, still sitting where I was on the bed.

From Literature

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

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

He kept applying for Massachusetts-based jobs from his family home outside Chicago, and said he was “dead set” on working in the life-sciences hot spot.

From The Wall Street Journal

Daddy woke up very early the next morning, dead set on accomplishing an important mission—getting work.

From Literature

Related Words

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