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• set-to
  set-to

  noun

  a usually brief, sharp fight or argument.
• set to
  set to

  verb

  to begin working

set-to

American  

[set-too] / ˈsɛtˌtu /

noun

set-tos plural

1. a usually brief, sharp fight or argument.

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set to British  

verb

1. to begin working

2. to start fighting

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noun

1. informal a brief disagreement or fight

set to Idioms  

1. Apply oneself, begin, work energetically, as in We set to revamping our policy on child care , or She set to studying for the bar exam . [Early 1400s]

2. Begin fighting, as in Both of them were furious, and they set to immediately . [First half of 1700s]

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• set-tos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of set-to

First recorded in 1735–45; noun use of verb phrase set to

Example Sentences

SpaceX executives are set to ring the Nasdaq’s opening bell in New York, but shares in buzzy initial public offerings don’t tend to start trading until later in the day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Investors were also awaiting the market debut later Friday of Elon Musk's SpaceX, set to be the biggest initial public offering in history.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

The unforgiving prices at the pump are set to make everyone’s summer more expensive.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

A surf advisory for the area was set to expire Thursday, but risks still remain, experts say.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

At last it came free; with the point, she set to work gouging the hole wider.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• action
• altercation
• argument
• battle
• bout
• brawl
• clash
• combat
• conflict
• confrontation
• contest
• controversy
• disagreement
• dispute
• duel
• exchange
• feud
• match
• melee
• quarrel