set someone off Definition

set¹
verb set, setting

1. To put, place or fix into a specified position or condition.

Example: set free
Example: set them straight
2. To array or arrange.

Example: Everything was set out beautifully
tr & intr
3. To make or become solid, rigid, firm or motionless.

Example: The jelly has set
Example: set someone's jaw
Thesaurus: harden, stiffen, thicken, congeal, solidify, jell, crystallize, condense, gelatinize; Antonym: liquefy.
4. To fix, establish or settle.

Example: Let's set a date
Thesaurus: determine, specify.
5. To embed.

Example: The lamp posts are set firmly in the cement
Thesaurus: insert, deposit, establish, anchor, fasten, fix, install, embed, sink; Antonym: loosen, dislocate.
6. To stud, sprinkle or variegate.
7. To regulate.
8. To put into a state of readiness or preparation.

Example: set the table
9. To appoint, especially to a particular task or duty.
10. To appoint or call (a meeting, etc).
11. To ordain or fix (a procedure, etc).
12. To adjust (a measuring device, eg a clock) to the correct reading.
13. To adjust (a device) so that its controls are activated at a fixed time.

Example: Set the oven timer to 11 o'clock
14. In Scotland and Ireland: to lease or let to a tenant.
15. To propound.
16. To put something upon a course or start it off.

Example: set it going
17. To incite or direct.
18. To put in a position of opposition.
19. To fix (a broken bone) in its normal position for healing.
20. To impose or assign as an exercise or duty

Example: set a test
Example: Which text has been set for the exam?
21. To present or fix as a lead to be followed.

Example: We must set an example
22. To place on or against a certain background or surroundings.

Example: diamonds set in a gold bracelet
23. To decorate.

Example: She wore a bracelet set with diamonds
24. To stir, provoke or force into activity.

Example: That set me thinking
Example: We've set her to work
25. To treat (hair) when wet so that it stays in the required style when dry.
26. To hold or place as a value or consideration of worth.

Example: set a high price on honesty
Thesaurus: rate, price, value, estimate, adjust.
intr
27. Said of the Sun or Moon: to disappear below the horizon.
28. To put down or advance (a pledge or deposit).
29. printing.
To arrange.
intr
30. To have, take on or start along a particular course or direction.
31. Said of a plant: to produce (seed).
intr
32. Said of a plant: to begin to form fruit or seed.
33. To compose or fit music to (words).
34. To position (a sail) so that it catches the wind.
35. To place (a novel, film, etc) in a specified period, location, etc.

Example: The Great Gatsby is set in the 1920s
intr
36. To dance in a facing position.

Example: set to your partner
37. To put (a hen) on eggs to hatch them.
38. To put (eggs) under a hen for incubation.
39. To wager a bet.
40a. Said of a gun dog: to point out (game);
intr
40b. Said of a gun dog :to indicate the location of game by crouching.
41. To sharpen.
42. bridge.
To defeat (one's opponent's contract) usually by a stated number of tricks.
tr & intr
43. Said of a colour in dyeing: to become, or to make it become, permanent or to prevent it running.

noun

1. The act or process of setting or the condition of being set.
2. A setting.
3. Form; shape.

Example: the set of his jaw
4. Habitual or temporary posture, carriage or bearing.
5. theat.cinematog.
The area within which the action takes place.
6. theat.cinematog.
The scenery and props used to create a particular location.
7a. The process of setting hair;
7b. A hairstyle produced by setting.

Example: a shampoo and set
8. The hang of a garment, especially when worn.
9. A plant-slip, bulb or tuber ready for planting.
10. A gun dog's indication of game.

adj

1. Fixed or rigid; allowing no alterations or variations.

Example: a set menu
Thesaurus: settled, solid, entrenched, firm, stable, established, steadfast, determined; Antonym: free, moveable, spontaneous.
2. Established; never-changing.

Example: He's too set in his ways
Thesaurus: obstinate, stubborn, harrow, obdurate, unyielding, relentless; Antonym: flexible.
3. Predetermined or conventional.

Example: set phrases
4. Ready or prepared.

Example: We're all set to go
5. About to receive or experience something; due.

Example: We're set for a pay rise
6. Assigned; prescribed.

Example: These are the set texts for this year

Idiom: be set on something

To be determined to do it.

Idiom: set one's teeth

To clamp or clench them tightly together.

Idiom: set the pace

To start off at a pace to be followed by others, eg in a race.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon settan.

Phrasal Verb: set about someone

To attack them.

Phrasal Verb: set about something

To start or begin it.
Example: They set about digging the garden

Phrasal Verb: set someone against someone else

To make them mutually hostile.
Example: They set him against his own family

Phrasal Verb: set something against something else

To compare or contrast them.To deduct one from the other.
Example: set expenses against tax

Phrasal Verb: set something or someone apart

To separate or put them aside as different, especially superior.

Phrasal Verb: set something aside

To disregard or reject it.To reserve it or put it away for later use.

Phrasal Verb: set something back

To delay or hinder its progress.To cause it to return to a previous and less advanced stage.
Example: They've introduced changes that will set the health service back decades
To cost (in money)
Example: How much did that set you back?

Phrasal Verb: set someone down

To make them sit down.
Example: She set him down for a talk
To allow them to leave or alight from a vehicle at their destination.To slight or snub them.

Phrasal Verb: set something down

To record it in writing.To judge or view it (in a specified way).
Example: The scheme was set down as a failure

Phrasal Verb: set something down to something else

To attribute it to it.
Example: His behaviour was set down to the stress he was under

Phrasal Verb: set forth

To begin a journey.

Phrasal Verb: set something forth

To declare, propose or explain it.
Example: She set forth her views

Phrasal Verb: set in

To become firmly established.
Example: We must leave before darkness sets in
Said of a current or wind: to move or blow in the direction of the shore.

Phrasal Verb: set off

To start out on a journey.
Example: We'll set off in the morning

Phrasal Verb: set someone off

To provoke them into action or behaviour of a specified kind.
Example: He can always set us off laughing

Phrasal Verb: set something off

To start it or make it happen.
Example: You set off a terrible argument that day
To detonate (an explosive).To show it off to good advantage or enhance its appearance.
Example: The colour of the dress sets off your eyes
To deduct it from another source; to offset it.

Phrasal Verb: set on someone

To attack them.

Phrasal Verb: set someone or something on someone

To order them to attack
Example: I'll set the dogs on you if you don't leave!

Phrasal Verb: set out

To begin or embark on a journey.To resolve or intend (to do something).
Example: She set out to cause trouble

Phrasal Verb: set something out

To present or explain it.
Example: She set out her proposals plainly
To lay it out for display.

Phrasal Verb: set to

To start working; to apply oneself to a task.To start fighting or arguing. See also set-to.

Phrasal Verb: set someone up

To put them into a position of guaranteed security.
Example: The inheritance has set him up for life
To enable them to begin a new career.To improve or restore their health.To trick them into becoming a target for blame or accusations, or into feeling embarrassed or foolish. See also set-up.

Phrasal Verb: set something up

To bring it into being or operation; to establish it.
Example: He set the company up by himself
To arrange it.To put up or erect something. See also set-up.
Example: Let's set the tents up over here