set about
Britishverb
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to start or begin
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to attack physically or verbally
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He immediately set about trying to shore up the economy by scrapping fuel subsidies that ate into the country's dollar reserves, but acute fuel shortages remain and inflation has rocketed.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
There were a lot of conversations on set about how to ensure that Mary felt like an everyday hero and remained grounded.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
Starboard first disclosed its stake in Algonquin Power in June 2023 and swiftly set about pushing for changes.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
When Tommy Lloyd set about building a Final Four-caliber team at Arizona, he laid out a plan so bizarre that it raised eyebrows across the sport.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026
He stroked her shining hair, all set about with golden Dust, and waited.
From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
