set

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

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set1 /set/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle set, present participle setting)  1  put 放置 [transitive always + adverb/preposition]PUT written to carefully put something down somewhere 〔小心地〕放置，放下set something (down) on something She set the tray down on a table next to his bed. 她把盘子放在他床边的桌子上。 Mark filled the pan and set it on the stove. 马克把平底锅装满后放到火炉上。set something down/aside The workmen set the box down carefully on the floor. 工人们把箱子小心地放到地上。 Remove the mushrooms and set them aside. 把蘑菇挑出来放到一旁。2  put into surface 嵌入表面 [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to put something into a surface 嵌入〔表面〕be set into something Gates should be hung on sturdy posts set well into the ground. 大门应该装在结实的柱子上，柱子要牢牢地植入地里。be set into the wall/floor/ceiling etc (=be built into the surface of something so that it does not stick out) 嵌入墙里/地板里/天花板里等 an alarm button set into the wall beside the door 嵌在门边墙里的警报器按钮n Grammar Set is usually passive in this meaning.3  story 故事 [transitive always + adverb/preposition] if a film, play, story etc is set in a particular place or period, the action takes place there or then 〔电影、戏剧、故事等〕以…为背景be set in something The novel is set in France. 这部小说以法国为背景。be set against something All this romance is set against a backdrop of rural Irish life. 这个爱情故事以爱尔兰的乡村生活为背景。nGrammar Set is usually passive in this meaning.4  consider 考虑 [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to consider something in relation to other things 与…作对比，把…放在一起考虑set something against/beside something These casualty totals have to be set against the continuing growth in traffic. 这些伤亡总人数要和交通流量的持续增加作对比。 This debate should be set in an international context. 这场辩论应该放在国际大背景下来看。5  establish STH 确立某物START something/MAKE something START [transitive] to establish a way of doing something that is then copied or regarded as good 制定，确立，确定set the pattern/tone/trend etc (for something) Art and literature flourished and this set the pattern for the whole of Europe. 艺术和文学兴盛了，这为整个欧洲树立了典范。 The prime minister’s fierce speech set the tone for the rest of the conference. 首相激烈的言辞为接下来的会议定下了基调。 It is important that parents set an example (=behave well). 父母以身作则是很重要的。 The outcome of the case will set a legal precedent. 此案的判决结果将在法律上开创一个先例。 His photographs set the standard for landscapes. 他的照片为风景照树立了标准。 Freud’s views on sexuality set the agenda for much of the century (=people paid attention to the subjects he dealt with). 弗洛伊德对性问题的观点成了大半个世纪的话题。6  start STH happening 使某物开始 [transitive] to make something start happening or to make someone start doing something 使…开始；使〔某人〕开始做set something in motion/progress/train A study by military experts was immediately set in motion. 军事专家立即开始进行研究。 The chief executive will set in train the process of finding a successor. 总经理将着手寻找接班人。set something on fire/alight/ablaze (also set fire to something) (=make something start burning) 放火焚烧某物 Protesters set fire to two buses. 抗议者放火焚烧了两辆公共汽车。set somebody/something doing something Her last remark has set me thinking. 她最后那句话引起了我的深思。 The wind set the trees rustling. 风吹动树叶沙沙作响。7  decide STH 确定某事 [transitive] to decide and state when something will happen, how much something should cost, what should be done etc 确定，安排〔某事〕set a date/time (for something) The government has still not set a date for the election. 政府仍未确定大选的日期。 International companies set the price of oil. 跨国公司决定石油价格。set standards/limits/guidelines etc high standards of hygiene set by the Department of Health 卫生部制定的严格的卫生标准8  start working 开始工作 [intransitive, transitive] to start doing something in a determined way, or to tell someone to start doing something 〔坚决地〕开始做；使〔某人〕开始做set to work to do something They set to work to paint the outside of the building. 他们开始粉刷大楼的外墙。set (somebody) to work on something He’s about to set to work on a second book. 他打算开始写第二本书。set (somebody) to work doing something The boys were set to work collecting firewood. 男孩子们被打发去拾柴火。set somebody to do something Rocard set himself to reform public sector industry. 罗卡尔开始着手改革国营工业部门。9  machine/clock etc 机器/钟等 [transitive]START something/MAKE something START to move a switch on a machine, clock etc so that it will start or stop working at the time you want, or in the way you want 设置，调整 Did you set the alarm? 你把闹钟设定好了吗？5 Remember to set the video to record the film.别忘了把录像机设定好录下这部影片。n I set the oven to come on at 12.set something to/at/on something Usually, the heating is set on ‘low’. 一般暖气设备都定在“低”挡。10  liquid/glue/cement etc 液体/胶水/水泥等 [intransitive]HARD to become hard and solid 凝固，凝结 How long does it take for the glue to set? 胶水凝结需要多长时间？11. sun 太阳 [intransitive]DNDOWN when the sun sets, it moves down in the sky and disappears 落下，下山 OPP rise12  set (somebody) a goal  (also set (somebody) a task/challenge British English)TRY TO DO OR GET something to say what you or someone else will or must try to achieve 给某人定下目标[布置任务]/向某人提出挑战 It’s best to set realistic goals that you can achieve. 最好是订立切实可行的目标。 He set himself the task of learning Japanese. 他给自己规定了学日语的任务。13  set your heart/mind/sights on (doing) something WANTDETERMINEDto want very much to have or achieve something, or to be determined to do something 一心想/决心要得到[做]某事物 Ellen has completely set her heart on that house. 埃伦一心要得到那幢房子。 He set his sights on crossing the Pacific by balloon. 他决心要乘热气球横渡太平洋。14  set a record BESTto achieve the best result in a sport, competition etc that has ever been achieved, by running fastest, jumping highest etc 〔在体育竞赛中〕创造纪录 The Kenyan runner set a new Olympic Record in the 3,000 metres. 这位肯尼亚选手创下了3,000米赛跑的奥运会新纪录。15. set the table DFDHto arrange plates, knives, cups etc on a table so that it is ready for a meal 摆好餐具〔准备开饭〕 SYN British English lay the table16  set a trap a) HBAto make a trap ready to catch an animal 设陷阱〔以捕捉动物〕 b) TRICK/DECEIVEto invent a plan to try and catch someone who is doing something wrong 布下圈套〔诱捕某人〕 They decided to set a trap for him by leaving him in charge. 他们决定给他设个圈套，让他来掌管。17  set somebody free/loose FREE/NOT IN PRISONto allow a person or an animal to be free 放走某人[某动物] All the other hostages were finally set free. 其他人质最后全都被释放了。18  set somebody straight/right TALK TO somebodyto tell someone the right way to do something or the true facts about something 纠正某人的做法[想法]set somebody straight/right on I set him right on a few points of procedure. 我帮助他纠正了几个程序上的问题。 → set something right at right1(4), → set the record straight at record1(11)19  face 脸 [intransitive] written if your face or mouth sets into a particular expression, you start to have an angry, sad, unfriendly etc expression 摆出，显出〔某种表情〕set into His mouth set into a rather grim line. 他嘴角紧绷，一副严肃的表情。20. set your jaw to move your lower jaw forward in a way that shows your determination 表现出很坚决的样子21  bone 骨头 a) [transitive]MH if a doctor sets a broken bone, he or she moves it into position so that the bone can grow together again 将〔断骨〕复位〔以便愈合〕 b) [intransitive]MI if a broken bone sets, it joins together again 〔断骨〕愈合22  class work 课堂作业 [transitive] British EnglishGIVE to give a student in your class a piece of work to do 布置〔作业〕set somebody something Mr Biggs has set us a 2,000-word essay. 比格斯先生给我们布置了一篇2,000字的作文。23  examination 考试 [transitive] British EnglishSEEXAM/TEST to write the questions for an examination 出〔考题〕 The head teacher sets the questions for the English exam. 校长给英语考试出题目。24  printing 印刷TCN [transitive] to arrange the words and letters of a book, newspaper etc so it is ready to be printed 〔为书、报纸等〕排字，排版 In those days, books had to be set by hand. 那时候的书只能靠手工排版。25. hair 头发 [transitive]DC to arrange someone’s hair while it is wet so that it has a particular style when it dries 把〔某人的湿头发〕梳理成某种发型，做〔头发〕 → set somebody at (their) ease at ease1(2), → set your face against something at face1(21), → set something to music at music(5), → set the pace at pace1(7), → set pen to paper at pen1(3), → set sail at sail2(2), → set the scene at scene(9), → set the stage for something at stage1(7), → set great store by/on something at store1(6), → set the world on fire/alight at world1(26), → set the world to rights at world1(27)n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 5: to establish a way of doing something that is then copied or regarded as goodnounsset an example (=behave well in a way that other people can copy)Parents should try to set a good example to their teenagers.set a precedent (=do something that later actions or decisions may be based on)This legislation would set a most dangerous precedent.set the pattern/trend (=do something in a way that is later repeated)That first day seemed to set the pattern for the following weeks.set the tone (=establish a general mood or feeling)The gloomy first chapter sets the tone for the rest of the novel.set the standard (=be very good, and so show how good other people or things should be)They wanted to set the standard for software.set the agenda (=establish what subjects should be discussed)We are not attempting to set the agenda for other women’s groups.set the pace (=move or change quickly, so that others try to do the same)With regard to industrialization, Britain set the pace in the first half of the nineteenth century.n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 7: to decide and state when something will happen, how much something should cost, what should be done etcnounsset a date/timeNo date has been set for the election.set a priceWe set the price at £30.set standards/guidelines (=decide on standards, rules etc)The government has set new food quality standards for all school canteens.set limitsSet strict limits on your spending. PHRASAL VERBS26 set about something/somebody phrasal verb a) START DOING somethingto start doing or dealing with something, especially something that needs a lot of time and effort 着手做〔尤指费时费力的事〕 A team of volunteers set about the task with determination. 一批志愿者毅然开始了这项任务。set about doing something How do senior managers set about making these decisions? 高级经理是怎么着手作这些决定的？b) ATTACK literary to attack someone by hitting and kicking them 攻击；对…拳打脚踢 They set about him with their fists. 他们挥拳殴打他。27 set somebody/something against somebody/something phrasal verb a) AGAINST/OPPOSEto make someone start to fight or quarrel with another person, especially a person who they had friendly relations with before 使…和…对立，使…和…反目 The bitter civil war set brother against brother. 激烈的内战使兄弟反目成仇。b) set yourself against (doing) something to decide that you are opposed to doing or having something 坚决反对（做）某事，坚决不参加某事 She’s set herself against going to university. 她决意不上大学。c) set something against taxPET to officially record the money you have spent on something connected with your job, in order to reduce the amount of tax you have to pay 把…计入账里抵税28 set somebody/something apart phrasal verb a) DIFFERENTif a quality sets someone or something apart, it makes them different from or better than other people or things 使与众不同，使优于〔其他人或物〕 from Man’s ability to reason sets him apart from other animals. 人的推理能力使其有别于其他动物。b) SEPARATEto keep something, especially a particular time, for a special purpose 留出，拨出〔作某种用途，尤指在某个时间〕be set apart for something Traditionally, these days were set apart for prayer and fasting. 传统上，这几天是专门用于祷告和斋戒的。n Grammar Set apart is usually passive in this meaning.29 set something ↔ aside phrasal verb a) SEPARATEto keep something, especially money, time, or a particular area, for a special purpose 留出，拨出〔金钱、时间等〕 for Try to set aside some time each day for exercise. 每天设法留出点时间来进行锻炼。 a room that had been set aside for visitors 留给客人用的一个房间b) FORGETto decide not to consider a particular feeling or thing because something else is more important 暂不考虑，不顾；对…置之不理 Both sides agreed to set aside the question of independence. 双方同意把独立的问题置不提。c) SCLto officially state that a previous legal decision or agreement no longer has any effect 宣布〔以前的判决或协议〕无效，撤销，驳回 The judge set aside the verdict of the lower court. 法官宣布下级法院的判决无效。d) if a farmer sets aside land, he or she agrees not to grow any crops on it, and accepts a payment from the government for this 〔农民同意接受政府的补贴而〕闲置〔农田〕，不耕种作物30 set somebody/something back phrasal verb a) set somebody/something ↔ backDELAY to delay the progress or development of something, or delay someone from finishing something 延缓〔某事的进展〕；阻碍〔某人完成某事〕；拖…后腿 Environmental experts said the move would set back further research. 环境专家说这一举动将阻碍进一步的研究。 Illness had set me back a couple of weeks. 这场病耽误了我好几个星期的时间。b) informalCOST to cost someone a lot of money 使破费，使花费〔大笔金钱〕set somebody back $50/£100 etc This jacket set me back over £1,000. 这件夹克花掉了我1,000多英镑。31 set something/somebody ↔ down phrasal verb a) WRITEto write about something so that you have a record of it 写下，记下 I wanted to set my feelings down on paper. 我想把我的感想写下来。b) SAY/STATEto state how something should be done in an official document or set of rules 〔在正式文件中〕制定，规定 Clear guidelines have been set down for teachers. 为教师制定了明确的准则。c) British EnglishTT to stop a car, bus etc and allow someone to get out 停车让…下去 The driver set her down at the station. 司机在车站停车让她下去。32 set forth phrasal verb a) set something ↔ forth formalWRITESAY/STATE to explain ideas, facts, or opinions in a clearly organized way in writing or in a speech 〔书面或口头〕陈述，阐明〔观点等〕 SYN set out He set forth an idealistic view of society. 他提出了一种理想主义的社会观。b) literarySTART DOING something to begin a journey 出发，启程 They were about to set forth on a voyage into the unknown. 他们即将启程远航去探索那个未知世界。33 set in phrasal verb START TO HAPPEN, EXIST ETCif something sets in, especially something unpleasant, it begins and seems likely to continue for a long time 〔尤指不愉快的事〕开始，来临 Winter seems to be setting in early this year. 今年的冬天好像来得早。 Further economic decline set in during the 1930s. 20世纪30年代出现了进一步的经济衰退。34 set off phrasal verb a) LEAVE A PLACEto start to go somewhere 出发，启程，动身 I’ll set off early to avoid the traffic. 我要早些出发避开交通拥堵。 for Jerry and I set off on foot for the beach. 我和杰里步行前往沙滩。b) set something ↔ offSTART something/MAKE something START to make something start happening, especially when you do not intend to do so 引起，激发〔尤指意外事件〕 News that the claims might be true set off widespread panic. 这种说法可能属实的消息引起了普遍的恐慌。 Hong Kong’s stock market fell, setting off a global financial crisis. 香港股市下跌，引发了一场全球性的金融危机。 RegisterIn written English, people often say that something triggers a particular reaction or event, rather than sets it off, because it sounds more formal: 在书面英语中,人们说某事引发某种反应或事件时,经常用trigger,而不用set off,因为trigger听上去更加正式This could trigger a global financial crisis. 这可能会引发一场全球性的金融危机。c) set something ↔ off to make an alarm start ringing 触响〔警报系统〕 Smoke from a cigarette will not normally set off a smoke alarm. 香烟的烟雾一般不会触发烟雾警报器。d) set something ↔ offSCBEXPLODE to make a bomb explode, or cause an explosion 使〔炸弹〕爆炸；引发〔爆炸〕 Any movement could have set off the bomb. 任何动静都可能引爆这颗炸弹。e) set something ↔ offSUIT/LOOK GOOD TOGETHER if a piece of clothing, colour, decoration etc sets something off, it makes it look attractive 衬托某物；使某物显得更漂亮 The blue sundress set off her long blonde hair. 蓝色的太阳裙把她那金色的长发衬托得更加美丽。f) set somebody offSTART something/MAKE something START to make someone start laughing, crying, or talking about something 激起某人的某种情感〔指引起某人发笑、哭泣、谈论某事等〕 Don’t mention what happened – you’ll only set her off again. 别提发生的事了——你这样只会让她又哭起来。g) set something off against taxPET to officially record the money you have spent on something connected with your job, in order to reduce the amount of tax you have to pay 把某事物计入账里抵税 Some expenses can be set off against tax. 有些开支可以入账抵税。35 set on somebody phrasal verb British English a) set somebody/something on somebodyATTACK to make people or animals attack someone 使某人[动物]攻击某人 The farmer threatened to set his dogs on us. 那农民威胁说要放狗来咬我们。b) if you are set on by people or animals, you are suddenly attacked by them 突然袭击 A thirty-five-year-old man was set on by four youths last night. 一名35岁男子昨晚突然遭到四个年轻人袭击。n Grammar Set on is usually passive in this meaning.c) set somebody on/onto somebody to give someone information about a person who you think has done something wrong, because you want that person to be found and caught 向某人告发某人 If I refuse, he’ll set the police onto me. 如果我拒绝，他就要向警方告发我。36 set out phrasal verb a) START DOING somethingto start a journey, especially a long journey 动身踏上〔漫长的旅途〕 for Kate set out for the house on the other side of the bay. 凯特动身前往位于海湾另一边的房子。set out on a journey/drive/voyage etc The band are setting out on a European tour in March. 乐队将于3月份出发去欧洲巡回演出。b) PLANSTART DOING somethingto start doing something or making plans to do something in order to achieve a particular result 〔为达到某个结果而〕开始做某事，着手进行set out to do something salesmen who deliberately set out to defraud customers 有意欺骗顾客的销售员set out with the idea/purpose/intention etc of doing something They set out with the aim of becoming the number one team in the league. 他们一心想成为联盟中最强的球队。c) set something ↔ outWRITESAY/STATE to explain ideas, facts, or opinions in a clearly organized way, in writing or in a speech 〔清楚而系统地用书面或口头方式〕陈述，阐明 He set out the reasons for his decision in his report. 在报告中他陈述了作出这个决定的理由。d) PUT set something ↔ out to put a group of things down and arrange them 摆放，安排，陈列 The market traders began setting out their displays. 市场上的商贩开始摆出自己的商品。e) set out on somethingSTART DOING something to start doing something, especially something new, difficult, or important 开始做某事〔尤指新的、困难的或重要的事〕 My nephew is just setting out on a career in journalism. 我的侄子刚刚开始从事新闻工作。37 set to phrasal verb British English START DOING somethingto start doing something eagerly and with determination 起劲干，决心做 If we all set to, we’ll finish the job in half an hour. 如果我们都努力干，就可以在半小时内完成这项工作。38 set up phrasal verb a) company/organization etc 公司/机构等START something/MAKE something START to start a company, organization, committee etc 建立，成立，创立〔公司、机构、委员会等〕 SYN establishset something ↔ up They want to set up their own import–export business. 他们想要成立自己的进出口公司。 new regulations for setting up political parties 成立政党的新规定set (yourself) up (as something) (=start your own business) 开业做（某种生意） John decided to set up as a graphic designer. 约翰决定自己开业做平面造型设计师。set up shop/set up in business (=begin operating a business) 开店/开始做生意 Now Betterware plans to set up shop elsewhere in Europe. 现在Betterware公司计划在欧洲的其他地方开分店。b) arrange/organize 安排/组织 set something ↔ upSTART something/MAKE something START to make the arrangements that are necessary for something to happen 安排某事 I’ll set up an appointment for you. 我来为你安排约见。 There was a lot of work involved in setting up the festival. 筹备节庆活动要做大量的工作。c) equipment 设备PREPARE to prepare the equipment that will be needed for an activity so that it is ready to be used 安装；架设；调试 The next band was already setting up on the other stage. 下一支乐队已经开始在另一个舞台布置设备了。set something ↔ up Can someone set the overhead projector up? 有人能把投影仪调试好吗？d) build/put up 建立/竖立 set something ↔ upPUT to place or build something somewhere, especially something that is not permanent 〔尤指临时〕建起，竖起 They’ve set up roadblocks around the city. 他们在城里各处设置了路障。e) trick SB 欺骗某人 set somebody ↔ up informalGUILTY to trick someone in order to achieve what you want, especially to make it appear that they have done something wrong or illegal 诬陷某人，给某人栽赃 Cox claimed that the police had tried to set him up. 考克斯声称警方试图诬陷他。f) provide money 提供钱款 set somebody ↔ up British English informalRICH to provide someone with money that they need, especially in order to start a business 〔尤指为帮助某人做生意〕资助某人，经济上帮助某人 After he qualified as a doctor, his mother set him up in a practice of his own. 他取得医生资格后，他母亲资助他自己开业行医。 Selling her share of the company has set her up for life. 卖掉了持有的公司股份后，她的钱一辈子都用不完了。g) healthy/full of energy 健康/精力充沛 set somebody upHEALTHY British English to make you feel healthy and full of energy 使某人觉得健康，使某人精力旺盛 A good breakfast will set you up for the day. 早餐吃得好一整天都会精力充沛。h) set yourself up as something to deliberately make people believe that you have the authority and skill to do something, especially when this is not true 装成…的模样 politicians who set themselves up as moral authorities 把自己装成道德权威的政客i) put SB in position 使某人处于某种位置 set somebody up to put someone in a position in which they are able to do something, or in which something is likely to happen to them 使某人处于某种位置，把某人置于某种境地set somebody up for If he won the fight, it would set him up for a title shot. 如果打赢这场拳赛，他就有机会问鼎冠军宝座。 Anyone with public duties sets themselves up for attack. 任何担任公职的人都有可能招致批评。j) relationship 关系 set somebody ↔ up informal to arrange for two people to meet, because you think they might start a romantic relationship 介绍，安排〔两个异性〕认识 ‘How did you meet Nick?’ ‘A friend set us up.’ “你是怎么认识尼克的？”“一个朋友介绍的。”k) set up home/house (also set up housekeeping American English)LIVE SOMEWHERE to get your own home, furniture etc, especially when you leave your parents’ home to live with a wife, husband, or partner 〔尤指离开父母〕成家，过独立生活 Many parents try to help their children set up home. 许多父母都会设法帮助子女建立自己的家庭。l) NOISE set up a commotion/din/racket etc to start making a loud unpleasant noise 发出喧闹声/嘈杂声/吵闹声等 The party guests were setting up a steady din. 派对上的来宾乱哄哄地吵闹起来。 → set up camp at camp1(1)→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

set• Put the jelly in the fridge for an hour to set.• It's best to pour your yoghurt into small containers before it sets.• Leave the jam in a cool place to set.• At the end of the session, they were set a homework task.• Mr Harris always sets a lot of homework.• Spread the frosting on the brownies in a thin coat, only enough to cover, and set aside to firm.• The rate of interest, in the shape of a tax-free bonus, is set by the Treasury.• They were set for the garlic and the prawns, if they made it quick.• He was not a man to give way easily and he had clearly set his heart on making her recognise her father.• The play is set in Madrid in the year 1840.• Let the dessert set in the fridge for two hours.• The first to be set is the backlight.• We set our alarm for five a.m. so we could get an early start.• The concrete will take several hours to set, so make sure no one walks on it.• Is that all -- or has she set some other task for you as well?• Anneka was set the huge task by Christian Aid on behalf of a family who fled from war-torn Mozambique.• I still haven't figured out how to set the VCR to tape while I'm away.• Much of what follows is set therefore in the form of questions which need to be considered by all of us.• She set us some work to do in groups.• Had the glue set yet?set something (down) on something• By then all they wanted to do was set foot on dry land.• After 10 years of torment, Kiranjit Ahluwalia, 36, threw petrol over sleeping husband Deepak and set him on fire.• He set her on her feet without a word and steadied her while she manoeuvred the crutch into position.• Not for the first time, she wished Great-Aunt Alicia had never set eyes on Matthew Preston.• But as it was, I would have to set off on my own, blindly striking in the direction of Jodhpur.• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until cookies are set and browning on the edges.• Make a nest of watercress on each bun half and set the burger on top.• And, perhaps reflecting later, more refined practice, they were all set down on what Taylor termed an instruction card.be set into something• We cooked the meat on a grill set into the table.• In the little churchyard in Sasbach, by contrast, two inconspicuous marble tablets are set into a wall.• Bricks or special edging slabs are set into concrete to provide an appropriate finish.• A word is a group of electronic components, each of which can be set into either of two states.• The girl's face was set into rigid lines from the garden, robbing them of all expression.• The large fish tank is set into the back wall most tastefully.• Canongate had its own Tolbooth, which has survived because it was set into the building line instead of blocking the thoroughfare.• The outer door was set into the lower corner of the left-hand wall.• In addition to ordinary manual control, for experienced cooks, the established instructions can be set into the oven's memory.be set in something• This themed experience is set in a labyrinth of passages, caverns and secret chambers, 60 feet below ground!• His face was set in a painful rictus, his chest heaving as he fought for breath.• His mouth was set in a prim, pained expression of disapproval.• As with most installations, the framing is done first, then the firebox is set in and the chimney assembled.• Constitutionalism, therefore, is to be set in contradistinction to arbitrary power.• The results will be set in the context of a study of the history of planning theory and urban policy making.• And my first novel was set in Toxteth.set in ... context• Prioritizing corporate crime has to be set in context.• For even his negative comments about Feuerbach are set in the context of a generous appreciation of the latter's intentions.• The results will be set in the context of a study of the history of planning theory and urban policy making.• All this is set in the context of conflict.• Performance in education is complex, controversial and should properly be set in the context of long time scales.• Language teaching will thus be set in the context of other influences.• This is set in the context of the changing international structure of the industries.• Unfortunately, the core teachings were set in cultural contexts that have been largely superseded.set the pattern/tone/trend etc (for something)• A 1903 revival at the Opera-Comique set the tone for international acclaim.• But clearly it was imperialistic palaeontologists rather than imperialist fossils that set the pattern in both cases.• Director Andrew Lane has set the tone of the movie at a pitch somewhere between sendup and subtle humor.• It caught on over here some years later with the Seven Men of Preston setting the trend.• That set the pattern for the next few days.• The beginning of the list sets the tone: 1.• The first gallery will set the tone with large, mature pieces. set something in motion/progress/train• Corot set the countryside in motion.• He has set the ball in motion.• Oliver corrected the clock and set it in motion.• On Jan. 13, Vega said, Guzman set his plot in motion.• The programme had lost the man responsible for setting it in motion.• Why, oh, why did you set such enquiries in train?• It is easy to make him look personally responsible for setting the process in train and bringing it to fruition.• How easy to see how a white kid could set this in motion with hardly any effort.set a date/time (for something)• The evening meal is served at a set time and is cooked to cordonbleu standard by Martha and is served by candlelight.• You need to set a time for a family talk and stick to the schedule.• The administration has 30 days to set a date for talks.• They pay a fixed income each year and promise to pay investors a set sum on a set date in the future.• I think most members here would agree that setting time lines or deadlines is really not advisable in most cases.• There are no set times or anything, I just do what I feel like.• After the initial excitement of announcing the engagement and setting a date, planning the event begins.set to work to do something• Murdock had found these ideas rather attractive and set to work to build a locomotive model.• Rayleigh and Jeans set to work to calculate this spectrum.• Having obtained this, he set to work to enclose the parish and to rearrange its landscape.• Beauty therapist Suzanne set to work to reduce the Santa spread by preparing Frigi-Thalgo.• Einstein, therefore, set to work to try to demolish the accepted version of quantum mechanics. set the alarm• Also, tell the security guard the office is empty so he can set the alarm.• I set the alarm clock for a quarter to midnight, and settled down for a couple of hours sleep.• He covered her with a blanket and set the alarm clock to ring in an hour, wrapping it in a towel.• I would then return to bed, setting the alarm for 7 a.m. for a repeat performance.• When users set the alarm in the internal clock, they would click on a picture of a rooster.• The sensor doesn't set the alarm off; the system isn't armed.• He locked his doors, cranked the seat back, and set the alarm on his wrist-watch.• So I set the alarm to go off at 2.sets the questions• Meanwhile, Hilary Murphy, who sets the questions, puts the final touches to Bob's board.

Related topics: Broadcasting, Film, Theatre, Sport, Music, Numbers, School, Gardening, Plants

set2 ●●● S1 W1 noun  1  group of things 一组事物 [countable]GROUP OF THINGS a group of similar things that belong together or are related in some way 〔物品的〕一套，一副，一组set of a set of tools 一套工具 We face a new set of problems. 我们面临一系列新的问题。 The older generation have a different set of values. 老一辈人有一套不同的价值观。 a chess set 一副国际象棋 →4  See picture of 见图 set2  television/radio 电视机/收音机 [countable]TCB a television, or a piece of equipment for receiving radio signals 电视机；收音机 a colour television set 一台彩色电视机3  film 电影 [countable]AMF a place where a film or television programme is filmed 〔电影或电视节目的〕拍摄场地，片场，摄影场on set/on the set Cruise met Kidman on the set of ‘Days of Thunder’. 克鲁斯在《雷霆壮志》的片场认识了基德曼。4. stage 舞台 [countable]APT the scenery, furniture etc used on a stage in a play or in the place where a film or television show is being made 布景，场景〔如自然景色、家具布置等〕5  sport 体育运动 [countable]DS one part of a game such as tennis or volleyball 〔网球等的〕一盘；〔排球等的〕一局 Nadal won the second set 6–4. 纳达尔以6比4赢了第二盘。 6  people 人们 [singular]FRIEND a group of people who are similar in some way and spend time together socially 〔趣味相投的〕一群人 a favourite meeting place of the smart set (=rich and fashionable people) 时髦人物最喜欢的聚会场所 Val got in with a wild set at college. 瓦尔在大学里结交了一帮放荡的人。 → jet set7  the set of somebody’s face/jaw/shoulders etc the expression on your face or the way you hold your body, which tells people how you are feeling 某人脸部的表情/下巴的姿势/肩膀的姿势等 From the set of her shoulders, it was clear that Sue was exhausted. 从肩膀的姿势来看，休显然是筋疲力尽了。 the hard set of his face 他脸上生硬的表情8  music 音乐 [countable]APM a performance by a singer, band, or disc jockey 〔歌手、乐队或音乐节目主持人的〕连续表演 Sasha performed a three-hour set. 萨莎连续唱了三个小时。9  maths 数学 [countable] technicalHMN a group of numbers, shapes etc in mathematics 〔数学中的〕集，集合 The set (x, y) has two members. （x, y）这个集里有两个项。10  students 学生 [countable] British EnglishSESCLASS/GROUP OF STUDENTS a group of children who are taught a particular school subject together because they have the same level of ability in that subject 〔在某个科目上水平相当因而一同上课的〕一班学生 SYN streamtop/bottom etc set Adam’s in the top set for maths. 亚当在数学优等班上课。11  onion 洋葱 [countable]DLGHBP a small onion that you plant in order to grow bigger ones 〔种植用的〕洋葱球茎 onion sets 洋葱球茎

Examples from the Corpus

set• On February 6 the group presented to college president Buell Gallagher a set of five demands.• Amy bought him a set of tools for metal and woodworking.• You could machine a set of four in a day.• We started the meeting by agreeing on a set of objectives.• The head teacher was presented with a set of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, worth more than £1,600.• a set of commemorative gold coins• She likes to mingle with the arty set.• You'll get a better set if you use gelatin.• I was useless at school -- always in the bottom set in every subject.• For sale - "The Guitarist" magazine - complete set, 1984-1992.• a cutlery set• Four different sets of stimuli were used.• The first set of questions wasn't too bad, but they got really difficult after that.• We think you've improved sufficiently to go up to a higher set.• In addition, Ariat, which is carried by equestrian retailers and at Nordstrom, has made inroads beyond the horsey set.• She's in set one for maths and English and set two for history.• Like Mount Everest, the Mandelbrot set is just there!• Richard had been passed from one set of foster parents to another until he was ten.• In the second set, Sampras led 5 - 4.• But this is actually only one of six sets of regulations and guidance which are due to come into force.• I gave a spare set of house keys to my neighbours.• a color television set• Wagner won a Tony for the set of "On the Twentieth Century."• She was on the set early to read over her new lines.• He soon hooked up with the set of young people he knew who had already moved to the city.• a train set• He thus developed a theory which argues that there are two sets of factors at work.set of• I'm thinking of buying a set of golf clubs.• It was a peculiar set of events that brought me here.• His determination to win was evident in the set of his jaw.television set• It is designed to sit in the living room and plug into a television set and hi-fi.• I could see the flicker of a television set reflected in the glass, though.• Moments before boarding I caught a glimpse of a television set in the departure lounge.• She watched events on a color television set in the cubicle where she sat, collecting fees from her customers.• Chances are you have at least one television set in your home that is used by most members of your family.• Only the music centre and the television set were comparatively new.• Margotte rarely turned on the television set.• Four years of free-market reforms and strong agricultural output are cracking open the mammoth market for everything from toiletries to television sets. top/bottom etc set• When closed together, the top set of teeth should be just in front of the bottom set.

Related topics: Food, Leisure

set3 ●○○ adjective  1  placed 位于某处的PLACE [not before noun] being in the position that is mentioned 在…位置的，位于…的set in/on/back etc a medieval village set high on a hill 高踞一处山丘上的一个中世纪村落 a big house set back from the road 一座远离公路的大房子2  background 背景 used to say that something is in front of a particular background, especially in a way that is attractive 以…为背景的，由…衬托的set against a small town of white buildings, set against a background of hills 白色建筑物组成的一座小镇，背景是连绵的山峦 pink petals set against dark green foliage 深绿色叶子衬托的粉红色花瓣3  fixed 固定的CHANGE/MAKE something DIFFERENT [only before noun] a set amount, time etc is fixed and is never changed 〔数量、时间等〕固定的 We were paid a set amount each week. 我们每周领取一笔固定的工资。 The evening meal is served at a set time. 晚饭在固定时间供应。 Small children like a set routine. 小孩子喜欢固定的生活规律。4  ready 准备好的 [not before noun] informalREADY someone who is set for something is ready for it 准备就绪的set for Are you all set for the trip? 这次旅行你们都准备好了吗？set to do something I was just set to go when the phone rang. 我正准备走的时候电话铃就响了。 Get set (=get ready) for a night of excitement. 准备好好乐一个晚上吧。 On your marks, get set, go (=said to start a race). 各就各位——预备——跑。5  set on/upon/against (doing) something DETERMINEDdetermined about something 一心想/决心要/坚决反对（做）某事 Nina’s set on going to the party. 尼娜铁了心要去参加这次派对。 The government’s dead set (=completely determined) against the plan. 政府坚决反对这个计划。6  opinions/habits etc 观点/习惯等CHANGE/BECOME DIFFERENT# not likely to change 顽固的，固执的；固定的 People had very set ideas about how to bring up children. 人们对养育孩子有根深蒂固的看法。 Mark was 65 and rather set in his ways (=habits). 马克65岁，生活习惯相当固定。 7  have your heart/sights set on something DETERMINEDWANTto want to do something very much, or to be aiming to do something 决心/定下目标做某事 She’s got her heart set on going to France this summer. 她下了决心要在今年夏天去法国。 Don has his sights set on a career in law. 唐拿定主意要从事法律工作。8  set to do something PROBABLYlikely to do something 很可能做某事 The weather is set to change. 天气可能要变。 This issue is set to cause some embarrassment. 这个问题很可能会引起尴尬。9. deep-set/wide-set/close-set eyes eyes whose position is deep in the face, far apart on the face, or close together on the face 深陷的眼窝/分得很开的眼睛/靠得很近的眼睛10  be set with gems/jewels etc to be decorated with jewels 镶有宝石/珠宝等 a gold bracelet set with rubies 一个镶有红宝石的金手镯11  meal 餐 [only before noun] British EnglishDFDL a set meal in a restaurant has a fixed price and a more limited choice than usual 〔价格固定、菜式选择有限的〕套餐set lunch/dinner/menu The hotel does a very good set menu. 这家酒店提供非常出色的套餐。12. set book/text etc British EnglishSEEXAM/TEST a book that must be studied for an examination 考试必读的书/课文等13  fixed expression 凝滞的表情 literaryPRETENDDETERMINED if your face is set, it has a fixed expression on it, especially one that is angry, worried etc 〔表情〕僵硬的，凝滞的 He stared at her, his face set. 他沉着脸盯住她看。 Kate’s face was set in a grim expression. 凯特一脸凝重。set smile/teeth/jaw ‘Damn you, ’ he said through set teeth. “去你妈的。”他咬牙切齿地说。

Examples from the Corpus

set• Workers earn a set amount for each piece they sew.• The Designer's floor model and plans would be complete with set construction hopefully under way.• The company will match your donations to charity, up to a set limit.• They each travel in their own set pattern, but don't assume they're easy to avoid!• There is no set pattern for this.• So it is very difficult to achieve what one might call a set pattern in life.• Unfortunately, few activities can be shut down for set periods, most being operational all the year round.• By looking for a set result you are excluding all the learning potential from the exercise.• Organized ski treks exist, their routes following set trails with accommodation enroute.set in/on/back etc• The full council will confirm the charges set on 4 March.• Early in 1982, before El Chichón erupted, a steep decline in temperature set in.• But reality soon set in, both for the car makers and the government.• Until the job is actually offered and refused, however, nothing is set in concrete.• While her hair was set in large heated rollers to give fullness, Lizzie set to work on Angela's make-up.• The weather was wet and chilly and this run underlines the standard that White is setting in the club this year.• Handmade mats were stacked to one side and a tiny fireplace was set in the floor.• Greater Tuna, a comedy that continues through June 1, is set in the third-smallest town in Texas.set for• Get set for a full evening of hot and spicy entertainment.• Newspaper group the Daily Mail looks set for a healthy year-end rise in profits when it announces results on Wednesday.• Targets may be set for any parameter that can be measured as the project proceeds, such as cost, time and performance.• A first working session is set for February in Vienna.• Some Western analysts considered that Soviet spending estimates should be doubled to take account of artificially low prices set for hardware.• Closing arguments are set for June 10.• It goes on controlled release in July and general availability is set for October, but there was no indication of price.• Less and less, even in popular understanding, is it regarded as merely the setting for the institution narrative.• No date has been set for the start up. set ideas• It's too complicated for set ideas.• I used to have set ideas but the older I get the more I learn from.set lunch/dinner/menu• Breakfast is buffet style and dinner is a three course set menu.• Breakfast is continental, whilst dinner is three courses from a set menu.• La Carte While the restaurant offers a comprehensive la carte menu, nearly everyone chooses one of the set menus.• Yet the set dinner at the Holcombe only cost £17.95 and breakfast cost £6.50 - a total of £24.45.• Buffet-style breakfast and lunch; set menu for dinner; mineral water flows from taps.• Buffet-style breakfast and lunch; set menu for dinner; self service taverna.• Dinner is a set menu of three courses.set smile/teeth/jaw• Gloria greeted her guests with a set smile.• Find a coal-eyed, muscular Provo with a set jaw and angry brow, and make love to him. From Longman Business Dictionary

Related topics: Computers

SETSET noun [uncountable] computing (secure electronic transfer) a way of buying and paying for goods on the Internet that allows the safe exchange of personal and financial informationsetset1 /set/ verb (past tense and past participle set, present participle setting)1[transitive] to decide that something should happen on a particular date, cost a particular amount, be done in a particular way etcWe haveset a deadline of 31 December for the receipt of bids.The initialprice is set at $6 a share.The OPEC agreementset aproduction ceiling (=limit) of 22.5 million barrels of oil a day.2set standards/aims/targets/goals to establish standards, aims etc for doing somethingThe new Chief Executive will be under pressure to maintain the growth targets set by his predecessor.Twenty-one computer companies met to set a standard for advanced computers.3set somebody a goal/challenge/target to decide that someone should try to achieve something, especially something that needs a lot of effortThe sales force was set a challenge — to find three good ideas for improving profit levels. → set something against something → set something (off) against something → set something → aside → set back → set something → down → set out → set something up→ See Verb tablesetset2 adjective [only before a noun] set amount/date/price etc an amount, date etc that is fixed and cannot be changedThese bonds pay investors a set sum on a set date in the future.The subcontractor employs the workforce for aset wage. → see also commercial setOrigin set1 Old English settan set2 1. (1300-1400) Old French sette, from Latin secta; → SECT2. (1300-1400) → SET1 set3 (1200-1300) Past participle of → SET1

set1 verb →10-25 →20-25
→n GRAMMAR1 →n GRAMMAR2 →n GRAMMAR3 →n GRAMMAR4
→REGISTER1 →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2 →PHRASAL VERBS1set2 nounset3 adjectiveLDOCE OnlineChinese  

Corpus down somewhere to put something carefully Business

set

I

set¹ S1 W1 /set/ verb (past tense and past participle set, present participle setting)1.  PUT  [transitive always + adverb/preposition] written to carefully put something down somewhere
    set something (down) on something
    She set the tray down on a table next to his bed.
    Mark filled the pan and set it on the stove.
    set something down/aside
    The workmen set the box down carefully on the floor.
    Remove the mushrooms and set them aside.
2.  PUT INTO SURFACE  [T always + adv/prep, usually passive] to put something into a surface
    be set into something
    Gates should be hung on sturdy posts set well into the ground.
    be set into the wall/floor/ceiling etc (=be built into the surface of something so that it does not stick out)
    an alarm button set into the wall beside the door
3.  STORY  [T always + adv/prep, usually passive] if a film, play, story etc is set in a particular place or period, the action takes place there or then
    be set in something
    The novel is set in France.
    be set against something
    All this romance is set against a backdrop of rural Irish life.
4.  CONSIDER  [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to consider something in relation to other things
    set something against/beside something
    These casualty totals have to be set against the continuing growth in traffic.
    This debate should be set in an international context.
5.  ESTABLISH SOMETHING  [transitive] to establish a way of doing something that is then copied or regarded as good
    set the pattern/tone/trend etc (for something)
    Art and literature flourished and this set the pattern for the whole of Europe.
    The Prime Minister’s fierce speech set the tone for the rest of the conference.
    It is important that parents set an example (=behave well).
    The outcome of the case will set a legal precedent.
    His photographs set the standard for landscapes.
    Freud’s views on sexuality set the agenda for much of the century (=people paid attention to the subjects he dealt with).
6.  START SOMETHING HAPPENING  [transitive] to make something start happening or to make someone start doing something
    set something in motion/progress/train
    A study by military experts was immediately set in motion.
    The chief executive will set in train the process of finding a successor.
    set something on fire/alight/ablaze (also set fire to something) (=make something start burning)
    Protesters set fire to two buses.
    set somebody/something doing something
    Her last remark has set me thinking.
    The wind set the trees rustling.
7.  DECIDE SOMETHING  [transitive] to decide and state when something will happen, how much something should cost, what should be done etc
    set a date/time (for something)
    The government has still not set a date for the election.
    International companies set the price of oil.
    set standards/limits/guidelines etc
    high standards of hygiene set by the Department of Health
8.  START WORKING  [intransitive and transitive] to start doing something in a determined way, or to tell someone to start doing something
    set to work to do something
    They set to work to paint the outside of the building.
    set (somebody) to work on something
    He’s about to set to work on a second book.
    set (somebody) to work doing something
    The boys were set to work collecting firewood.
    set somebody to do something
    Rocard set himself to reform public sector industry.
9.  MACHINE/CLOCK ETC  [transitive] to move a switch on a machine, clock etc so that it will start or stop working at the time you want, or in the way you want:
    Did you set the alarm?
    Remember to set the video to record the film.
    set something to/at/on something
    Usually, the heating is set on ‘low’.
10.  LIQUID/GLUE/CEMENT ETC  [intransitive] to become hard and solid:
    How long does it take for the glue to set?
11.  SUN  [intransitive] when the sun sets, it moves down in the sky and disappears
   OPP  rise
12. set (somebody) a goal (also set (somebody) a task/challenge British English) to say what you or someone else will or must try to achieve:
    It’s best to set realistic goals that you can achieve.
    He set himself the task of learning Japanese.
13. set your heart/mind/sights on (doing) something to want very much to have or achieve something, or to be determined to do something:
    Ellen has completely set her heart on that house.
    He set his sights on crossing the Pacific by balloon.
14. set a record to achieve the best result in a sport, competition etc that has ever been achieved, by running fastest, jumping highest etc:
    The Kenyan runner set a new Olympic Record in the 3,000 metres.
15. set the table to arrange plates, knives, cups etc on a table so that it is ready for a meal
   SYN  lay the table British English
16. set a trap
  a. to make a trap ready to catch an animal
  b. to invent a plan to try and catch someone who is doing something wrong:
    They decided to set a trap for him by leaving him in charge.
17. set somebody free/loose to allow a person or an animal to be free:
    All the other hostages were finally set free.
18. set somebody straight/right to tell someone the right way to do something or the true facts about something
    set somebody straight/right on
    I set him right on a few points of procedure. ⇨ set something right at right¹(4), ⇨ set the record straight at record¹(10)
19.  FACE  [intransitive] written if your face or mouth sets into a particular expression, you start to have an angry, sad, unfriendly etc expression
    set into
    His mouth set into a rather grim line.
20. set your jaw to move your lower jaw forward in a way that shows your determination
21.  BONE
  a. [transitive] if a doctor sets a broken bone, he or she moves it into position so that the bone can grow together again
  b. [intransitive] if a broken bone sets, it joins together again
22.  CLASS WORK  [transitive] British English to give a student in your class a piece of work to do
    set somebody something
    Mr Biggs has set us a 2,000-word essay.
23.  EXAMINATION  [transitive] British English to write the questions for an examination:
    The head teacher sets the questions for the English exam.
24.  PRINTING  [transitive] to arrange the words and letters of a book, newspaper etc so it is ready to be printed:
    In those days, books had to be set by hand.
25.  HAIR  [transitive] to arrange someone’s hair while it is wet so that it has a particular style when it dries ⇨ set somebody at (their) ease at ease¹(2), ⇨ set your face against something at face¹(21), ⇨ set something to music at music(1), ⇨ set the pace at pace¹(7), ⇨ set pen to paper at pen¹(3), ⇨ set sail at sail²(2), ⇨ set the scene at scene(9), ⇨ set the stage for something at stage¹(7), ⇨ set great store by/on something at store¹(6), ⇨ set the world on fire/alight at world¹(22), ⇨ set the world to rights at world¹(23)
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 5)

■ nouns
   ▪ set an example (=behave well in a way that other people can copy) Parents should try to set a good example to their teenagers.
   ▪ set a precedent (=do something that later actions or decisions may be based on) This legislation would set a most dangerous precedent.
   ▪ set the pattern/trend (=do something in a way that is later repeated) That first day seemed to set the pattern for the following weeks.
   ▪ set the tone (=establish a general mood or feeling) The gloomy first chapter sets the tone for the rest of the novel.
   ▪ set the standard (=be very good, and so show how good other people or things should be) They wanted to set the standard for software.
   ▪ set the agenda (=establish what subjects should be discussed) We are not attempting to set the agenda for other women’s groups.
   ▪ set the pace (=move or change quickly, so that others try to do the same) With regard to industrialization, Britain set the pace in the first half of the nineteenth century.
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 7)

■ nouns
   ▪ set a date/time No date has been set for the election.
   ▪ set a price We set the price at £30.
   ▪ set standards/guidelines (=decide on standards, rules etc) The government has set new food quality standards for all school canteens.
   ▪ set limits Set strict limits on your spending.
     
set about something/somebody phrasal verb
  1. to start doing or dealing with something, especially something that needs a lot of time and effort:
    A team of volunteers set about the task with determination.
    set about doing something
    How do senior managers set about making these decisions?
  2. literary to attack someone by hitting and kicking them:
    They set about him with their fists.
set somebody/something against somebody/something phrasal verb
  1. to make someone start to fight or quarrel with another person, especially a person who they had friendly relations with before:
    The bitter civil war set brother against brother.
  2. set yourself against (doing) something to decide that you are opposed to doing or having something:
    She’s set herself against going to university.
  3. set something against tax to officially record the money you have spent on something connected with your job, in order to reduce the amount of tax you have to pay
set somebody/something apart phrasal verb
  1. if a quality sets someone or something apart, it makes them different from or better than other people or things
    set somebody/something apart from
    Man’s ability to reason sets him apart from other animals.
  2. [usually passive] to keep something, especially a particular time, for a special purpose
    set somebody/something apart for
    Traditionally, these days were set apart for prayer and fasting.
set something ↔ aside phrasal verb
  1. to keep something, especially money, time, or a particular area, for a special purpose
    set something ↔ aside for
    Try to set aside some time each day for exercise.
    a room that had been set aside for visitors
  2. to decide not to consider a particular feeling or thing because something else is more important:
    Both sides agreed to set aside the question of independence.
  3. to officially state that a previous legal decision or agreement no longer has any effect:
    The judge set aside the verdict of the lower court.
  4. if a farmer sets aside land, he or she agrees not to grow any crops on it, and accepts a payment from the government for this
set somebody/something back phrasal verb
  1. set somebody/something ↔ back to delay the progress or development of something, or delay someone from finishing something:
    Environmental experts said the move would set back further research.
    Illness had set me back a couple of weeks.
  2. informal to cost someone a lot of money
    set somebody back $50/£100 etc
    This jacket set me back over £1,000.
set something/somebody ↔ down phrasal verb
  1. to write about something so that you have a record of it:
    I wanted to set my feelings down on paper.
  2. to state how something should be done in an official document or set of rules:
    Clear guidelines have been set down for teachers.
  3. British English to stop a car, bus etc and allow someone to get out:
    The driver set her down at the station.
set forth phrasal verb
  1. set something ↔ forth formal to explain ideas, facts, or opinions in a clearly organized way in writing or in a speech
   SYN  set out:
    He set forth an idealistic view of society.
  2. literary to begin a journey:
    They were about to set forth on a voyage into the unknown.
set in phrasal verb
  if something sets in, especially something unpleasant, it begins and seems likely to continue for a long time:
    Winter seems to be setting in early this year.
    Further economic decline set in during the 1930s.
set off phrasal verb
  1. to start to go somewhere:
    I’ll set off early to avoid the traffic.
    set off for
    Jerry and I set off on foot for the beach.
  2. set something ↔ off to make something start happening, especially when you do not intend to do so:
    News that the claims might be true set off widespread panic.
    Hong Kong’s stock market fell, setting off a global financial crisis.
  REGISTER
    In written English, people often say that something triggers a particular reaction or event, rather than sets it off, because it sounds more formal:
   ▪ This could trigger a global financial crisis.
  3. set something ↔ off to make an alarm start ringing:
    Smoke from a cigarette will not normally set off a smoke alarm.
  4. set something ↔ off to make a bomb explode, or cause an explosion:
    Any movement could have set off the bomb.
  5. set something ↔ off if a piece of clothing, colour, decoration etc sets something off, it makes it look attractive:
    The blue sundress set off her long blonde hair.
  6. set somebody off to make someone start laughing, crying, or talking about something:
    Don’t mention what happened – you’ll only set her off again.
  7. set something off against tax to officially record the money you have spent on something connected with your job, in order to reduce the amount of tax you have to pay:
    Some expenses can be set off against tax.
set on somebody phrasal verb British English
  1. set somebody/something on somebody to make people or animals attack someone:
    The farmer threatened to set his dogs on us.
  2. [usually passive] if you are set on by people or animals, you are suddenly attacked by them:
    A thirty-five-year-old man was set on by four youths last night.
  3. set somebody on/onto somebody to give someone information about a person who you think has done something wrong, because you want that person to be found and caught:
    If I refuse, he’ll set the police onto me.
set out phrasal verb
  1. to start a journey, especially a long journey
    set out for
    Kate set out for the house on the other side of the bay.
    set out on a journey/drive/voyage etc
    The band are setting out on a European tour in March.
  2. to start doing something or making plans to do something in order to achieve a particular result
    set out to do something
    salesmen who deliberately set out to defraud customers
    set out with the idea/purpose/intention etc of doing something
    They set out with the aim of becoming the number one team in the league.
  3. set something ↔ out to explain ideas, facts, or opinions in a clearly organized way, in writing or in a speech:
    He set out the reasons for his decision in his report.
  4. set something ↔ out to put a group of things down and arrange them:
    The market traders began setting out their displays.
  5. set out on something to start doing something, especially something new, difficult, or important:
    My nephew is just setting out on a career in journalism.
set to phrasal verb British English
  to start doing something eagerly and with determination:
    If we all set to, we’ll finish the job in half an hour.
set up phrasal verb
  1.  COMPANY/ORGANIZATION ETC to start a company, organization, committee etc
   SYN  establish
    set something ↔ up
    They want to set up their own import–export business.
    new regulations for setting up political parties
    set (yourself) up (as something) (=start your own business)
    John decided to set up as a graphic designer.
    set up shop/set up in business (=begin operating a business)
    Now Betterware plans to set up shop elsewhere in Europe.
  2.  ARRANGE/ORGANIZE set something ↔ up to make the arrangements that are necessary for something to happen:
    I’ll set up an appointment for you.
    There was a lot of work involved in setting up the festival.
  3.  EQUIPMENT to prepare the equipment that will be needed for an activity so that it is ready to be used:
    The next band was already setting up on the other stage.
    set something ↔ up
    Can someone set the overhead projector up?
  4.  BUILD/PUT UP set something ↔ up to place or build something somewhere, especially something that is not permanent:
    They’ve set up roadblocks around the city.
  5.  TRICK SOMEBODY set somebody ↔ up informal to trick someone in order to achieve what you want, especially to make it appear that they have done something wrong or illegal:
    Cox claimed that the police had tried to set him up.
  6.  PROVIDE MONEY set somebody ↔ up British English informal to provide someone with money that they need, especially in order to start a business:
    After he qualified as a doctor, his mother set him up in a practice of his own.
    Selling her share of the company has set her up for life.
  7.  HEALTHY/FULL OF ENERGY set somebody up British English to make you feel healthy and full of energy:
    A good breakfast will set you up for the day.
  8. set yourself up as something to deliberately make people believe that you have the authority and skill to do something, especially when this is not true:
    politicians who set themselves up as moral authorities
  9.  PUT SOMEBODY IN POSITION set somebody up to put someone in a position in which they are able to do something, or in which something is likely to happen to them
    set somebody up for
    If he won the fight, it would set him up for a title shot.
    Anyone with public duties sets themselves up for attack.
  10.  RELATIONSHIP set somebody ↔ up informal to arrange for two people to meet, because you think they might start a romantic relationship:
    ‘How did you meet Nick?’ ‘A friend set us up.’
  11. set up home/house (also set up housekeeping American English) to get your own home, furniture etc, especially when you leave your parents’ home to live with a wife, husband, or partner:
    Many parents try to help their children set up home.
  12. set up a commotion/din/racket etc to start making a loud unpleasant noise:
    The party guests were setting up a steady din. ⇨ set up camp at camp¹(1)

II

set² S1 W1 noun1.  GROUP OF THINGS  [countable] a group of similar things that belong together or are related in some way
    set of
    a set of tools
    We face a new set of problems.
    The older generation have a different set of values.
    a chess set
2.  TELEVISION/RADIO  [countable] a television, or a piece of equipment for receiving radio signals:
    a colour television set
3.  FILM  [countable] a place where a film or television programme is filmed
    on set/on the set
    Cruise met Kidman on the set of ‘Days of Thunder’.
4.  STAGE  [countable] the scenery, furniture etc used on a stage in a play or in the place where a film or television show is being made
5.  SPORT  [countable] one part of a game such as tennis or volleyball:
    Nadal won the second set 6–4.
6.  PEOPLE  [singular] a group of people who are similar in some way and spend time together socially:
    a favourite meeting place of the smart set (=rich and fashionable people)
    Val got in with a wild set at college. ⇨ jet set
7. the set of sb’s face/jaw/shoulders etc the expression on your face or the way you hold your body, which tells people how you are feeling:
    From the set of her shoulders, it was clear that Sue was exhausted.
    the hard set of his face
8.  MUSIC  [countable] a performance by a singer, band, or disc jockey:
    Sasha performed a three-hour set.
9.  MATHS  [countable] technical a group of numbers, shapes etc in mathematics:
    The set (x, y) has two members.
10.  STUDENTS  [countable] British English a group of children who are taught a particular school subject together because they have the same level of ability in that subject
   SYN  stream
    top/bottom etc set
    Adam’s in the top set for maths.
11.  ONION  [countable] a small onion that you plant in order to grow bigger ones:
    onion sets

III

set³ adjective1.  PLACED  [not before noun] being in the position that is mentioned
    set in/on/back etc
    a medieval village set high on a hill
    a big house set back from the road
2.  BACKGROUND used to say that something is in front of a particular background, especially in a way that is attractive
    set against
    a small town of white buildings, set against a background of hills
    pink petals set against dark green foliage
3.  FIXED  [only before noun] a set amount, time etc is fixed and is never changed:
    We were paid a set amount each week.
    The evening meal is served at a set time.
    Small children like a set routine.
4.  READY  [not before noun] informal someone who is set for something is ready for it
    set for
    Are you all set for the trip?
    set to do something
    I was just set to go when the phone rang.
    Get set (=get ready) for a night of excitement.
    On your marks – get set – go (=said to start a race).
5. set on/upon/against (doing) something determined about something:
    Nina’s set on going to the party.
    The government’s dead set (=completely determined) against the plan.
6.  OPINIONS/HABITS ETC not likely to change:
    People had very set ideas about how to bring up children.
    Mark was 65 and rather set in his ways (=habits).
7. have your heart/sights set on something to want to do something very much, or to be aiming to do something:
    She’s got her heart set on going to France this summer.
    Don has his sights set on a career in law.
8. set to do something likely to do something:
    The weather is set to change.
    This issue is set to cause some embarrassment.
9. deep-set/wide-set/close-set eyes eyes whose position is deep in the face, far apart on the face, or close together on the face
10. be set with gems/jewels etc to be decorated with jewels:
    a gold bracelet set with rubies
11.  MEAL  [only before noun] British English a set meal in a restaurant has a fixed price and a more limited choice than usual
    set lunch/dinner/menu
    The hotel does a very good set menu.
12. set book/text etc British English a book that must be studied for an examination
13.  FIXED EXPRESSION literary if your face is set, it has a fixed expression on it, especially one that is angry, worried etc:
    He stared at her, his face set.
    Kate’s face was set in a grim expression.
    set smile/teeth/jaw
    ‘Damn you,’ he said through set teeth.