1 C1 idiomatic informal
To direct a person or animal to attack or pursue a specific target.
"The informant set the investigators onto the real ringleader of the operation."
separable
set onto
C1 informal separable transitive
To direct someone or something towards a target, or a variant of 'set on' (to attack).
In plain English
To point someone in the direction of a person or thing, often to pursue or investigate them.
What does "set onto" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Less common than 'set on'. Sometimes used to mean directing someone's attention to a lead or target, as in investigative contexts.
Words that pair with "set onto"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
target trail lead suspect track
How to conjugate "set onto"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
set onto
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sets onto
he/she/it
Past simple
set onto
yesterday
Past participle
set onto
have + pp
-ing form
setting onto
continuous
Hear "set onto" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "set onto" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "set onto"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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