set on
Britishverb
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(preposition) to cause to attack
they set the dogs on him
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(adverb) to instigate or incite; urge
he set the child on to demand food
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Also, set upon.
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Attack; see set at .
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Instigate, urge one to engage in action, as in The older boys set on the young ones to get in trouble . [Early 1500s]
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. Be determined to, as in He's set on studying law .
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.
Shohei Ohtani being dead set on chasing the Cy Young Award killed the Dodgers’ chances at a three-peat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2026
Now, he has his sights set on production design.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
And does it mean - far more enticingly - he has his sights set on two more major tournaments and two more chances to grasp the prize that has eluded him at international level?
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
In Lyon, despite a ban on demonstrations, around 500 people gathered on Monday evening outside the tourism office that was set on fire, to show support for shopkeepers affected by looting, according to organisers.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
It was an age-blacked, dungeonlike building with its own rickety little graveyard in the back, set on a rolling country lane.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
