set upon
C1 formal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To suddenly attack someone — usually more than one person attacking at once.
Literal meaning: To be placed upon by force — attackers literally putting themselves on top of someone.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
formal
To suddenly and violently attack someone, especially as part of a group.
"The tourists were set upon by a group of thieves in a dark alleyway."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 formal
To urge or direct a dog or animal to attack someone.
"The guard set the dog upon the intruder who had climbed the fence."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Formal and literary in tone; rarely used in everyday spoken English. More likely to appear in news reports, novels, or historical writing. Typically describes a sudden, unexpected physical assault. Often passive: 'he was set upon'.
Commonly used with
muggers gang attackers mob dogs thieves
Forms
Base
set upon
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sets upon
he/she/it
Past simple
set upon
yesterday
Past participle
set upon
have + pp
-ing form
setting upon
continuous
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