set-to

[ set-too ]

noun

, plural set-tos.

1. a usually brief, sharp fight or argument.

set to

verb

1. to begin working
2. to start fighting

noun

1. informal.
   a brief disagreement or fight

Word History and Origins

Origin of set-to¹

First recorded in 1735–45; noun use of verb phrase set to

Example Sentences

Now that sets up an interesting little potential set-to in 2016, no?

From The Daily Beast

If they were to set-to to shout as soon as we had landed, our chance of getting back again would be at an end.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, I used to be once close to the kennel where they kept the foxhounds, and they used to set-to and sing sometimes all at once.

From Project Gutenberg

So he came again, and they had another regular set-to, and the boy had another good sound thrashing.

From Project Gutenberg

So was his successful set-to in the brewery yard with Lefty Dinan, the Tenth street cock-of-the walk.

From Project Gutenberg

She was as sure of that as she was sure that the sun would set to-night in the west and would rise again to-morrow in the east.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adopt
• assume
• commence
• continue
• embrace
• enter
• initiate
• open
• pick up
• renew
• reopen
• resume
• tackle
• undertake