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

---

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 .

---

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Leerdam had earlier set down a time of 37.15sec but Kok powered through the line in her skate against the American Erin Jackson to go more than half a second faster.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

Noah, who has his own health issues, visits her to read from a notebook the story that she set down on paper to prevent her from forgetting the love that illuminated her life.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

The waitress winked at Uhmma as she set down the drinks.

From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na

Related Words

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