1 B2 idiomatic informal
To start doing something with energy and determination.
"They set to with enthusiasm and had the entire garden weeded by lunchtime."
inseparable
set to
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To begin doing something with energy and determination, or to start arguing or fighting.
In plain English
To start doing something with a lot of energy, or to start a fight or argument.
What does "set to" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To begin fighting or arguing with someone.
"The two brothers set to over who had borrowed the car last."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To direct yourself towards something — pointing your efforts in a particular direction.
Actually means
To start doing something with a lot of energy, or to start a fight or argument.
Usage tip
Somewhat dated or literary in British English. The 'fighting' sense is particularly old-fashioned. More commonly encountered in writing than in everyday speech. The past tense 'set to' and the noun 'a set-to' (meaning a quarrel) are both used.
Words that pair with "set to"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
work task fight argument cleaning cooking
How to conjugate "set to"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
set to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sets to
he/she/it
Past simple
set to
yesterday
Past participle
set to
have + pp
-ing form
setting to
continuous
Hear "set to" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "set to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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