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• set-to
  set-to

  noun

  a usually brief, sharp fight or argument.
• set to
  set to

  verb

  to begin working

set-to

American  

[set-too] / ˈsɛtˌtu /

noun

set-tos plural

1. a usually brief, sharp fight or argument.

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set to British  

verb

1. to begin working

2. to start fighting

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noun

1. informal a brief disagreement or fight

set to Idioms  

1. Apply oneself, begin, work energetically, as in We set to revamping our policy on child care , or She set to studying for the bar exam . [Early 1400s]

2. Begin fighting, as in Both of them were furious, and they set to immediately . [First half of 1700s]

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• set-tos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of set-to

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

Example Sentences

Black leaders and groups sponsored the first Black float, “Freedom Bursts Forth,” for the 1964 parade, after a very public set-to over the parade’s absence of people of color.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2022

Anyway, this promises to be quite the enjoyable set-to.

From The Guardian • Feb. 8, 2017

What was most striking about this set-to was how much Warren seemed to be enjoying it.

From The New Yorker • May 17, 2016

I called Mr. Smith about our set-to in 2010.

From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2014

He paused so long for a reply that Fleda said: "I don't think I know what you mean by a set-to."

From The Spoils of Poynton by James, Henry

Related Words

• action
• altercation
• argument
• battle
• bout
• brawl
• clash
• combat
• conflict
• confrontation
• contest
• controversy
• disagreement
• dispute
• duel
• exchange
• feud
• match
• melee
• quarrel