set on
Britishverb
-
(preposition) to cause to attack
they set the dogs on him
-
(adverb) to instigate or incite; urge
he set the child on to demand food
-
Also, set upon.
-
Attack; see set at .
-
Instigate, urge one to engage in action, as in The older boys set on the young ones to get in trouble . [Early 1500s]
-
. 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.
Lindsey Vonn is set on Tuesday to give an update on whether she is fit to compete at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics after a knee injury put her participation in doubt.
From Barron's
As Manchester United fans are only too aware, once Cristiano Ronaldo is set on a course, he is not too fussed what the fallout is.
From BBC
All of this mania and madness has been an over-the-top act to drive a wedge between her and Andrew now that her husband has his sights set on another woman.
From Salon
Kelly was undefeated in 10 fights as a professional and had his sights set on the top tier of the division.
From BBC
And she was so small, this girl, for such a weight to be set on her shoulders—small and stubborn and breakable.
From Literature
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.
