set down

British  

verb

1. to write down or record

2. to judge, consider, or regard

   he set him down as an idiot

3. (foll by to) to ascribe; attribute

   his attitude was set down to his illness

4. to reprove; rebuke

5. to snub; dismiss

6. to allow (passengers) to alight from a bus, taxi, etc

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set down Idioms  

1. Place in a lower position, as in Set the baby down here , or Set the bags down on the hall table . [Late 1400s]

2. Put in writing, record, as in Just set down all the facts as you remember them . [Second half of 1500s]

3. Regard, consider, as in Just set him down as a fool . [Late 1700s]

4. Assign to a cause, ascribe, as in Let's set down his error to inexperience . [Early 1800s]

5. Land an aircraft, as in The pilot set the plane down hard on the runway . Also see put down .

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Example Sentences

In short, Kagan would have resolved this case as a good textualist, operating within the methodological terms set down by the majority’s opinion, minus the major-questions thumb on the scale.

From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026

There is no question this is a long term trend, especially for young people, who often want overseas experience - known as "an OE" - before returning to set down roots.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

While their cases are pending in court, many find jobs and set down roots in communities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

The Belarusian Sabalenka prevailed on that occasion, fighting back from a set down to win her first Grand Slam crown.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Looming things that move with the current, swinging all together like a flock of ducks set down on a pond, beaks to the wind.

From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick

Related Words

• authorize
• base
• build
• create
• enact
• form
• found
• inaugurate
• install
• institute
• provide
• put
• settle
• start