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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

“CoComelon” is Moonbug’s flagship preschool show, and the series’ origins date back to 2006 when commercial director Jay Jeon shared a YouTube video of an alphabet cartoon set to music.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

Shares in Elon Musk’s rocket maker are set to begin trading at midday Friday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Investors were also awaiting the market debut later Friday of Elon Musk's SpaceX, set to be the biggest initial public offering in history.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

Northern Ireland is set to run a similar programme in due course, UK health officials say.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Well, there was always the invasion, set to begin in a few weeks.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

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