set on

B2 neutral separable transitive

In simple words

To suddenly attack someone, or to make a person or animal attack someone else.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

uncommon

To suddenly and violently attack someone.

"She was set on by two men as she walked home from the station."

Grammar: separable

2 B2 idiomatic neutral

uncommon

To deliberately cause an animal or person to attack someone else.

"He threatened to set his dogs on anyone who trespassed on his land."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Can be used both as a direct attack ('be set on by') or causative ('set the dog on him'). The passive form is particularly common.

dog attackers thugs guards gang

Base

set on

I/you/we/they

3rd person

sets on

he/she/it

Past simple

set on

yesterday

Past participle

set on

have + pp

-ing form

setting on

continuous

Try:

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attack assault ambush sic unleash incite

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