Phrasal Verbs with “Set”

Here’s the ultimate list of phrasal verbs with “set.”

“Set about” Meaning and Examples

To start doing something energetically.

Example

Antoine set about learning English. He now practices three hours every day.

Antoine started learning English energetically. He now practices three hours every day.

We set about the task to complete it as soon as possible.

We started doing the task energetically to complete it as soon as possible. 

“Set against” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Set against

To compare two things.

Example

When we set this year’s results against last year’s, we noticed that they were better.

When we compared this year’s results against last year’s, we noticed that they were better.

Meaning 2 – Set against

To cause two or more parties or groups to fight.

Example

The syndicate set the workers against the company. They went on a strike this week.

The syndicate caused the workers to fight the company. They went on a strike this week.  

“Set apart” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Set apart

To characterize, to make someone special, to differentiate someone.

Example

Her eloquence and charm set her apart from the rest of the contestants.

Her eloquence and charm differentiate her from the rest of the contestants. 

Messi’s talent sets him apart from other professional players. He is the best.

Messi’s talent differentiates him from other professional players. He is the best.

Meaning 2 – Set apart

To reserve something, to separate something.

Example

This plot of land has been set apart for sowing strawberries. It is our new project.

This plot of land has been reserved for sowing strawberries. It is our new project.

“Set aside” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Set aside

To reserve something, to separate something, similar to set apart.

Example

My parents have been setting money aside for my college education since I was born.

My parents have been reserving money for my college education since I was born. 

Meaning 2 – Set aside

To ignore something, to not let something affect or influence you.

Example

Jake and Josh set aside their differences and planned a surprise party for their cousin.

Jake and Josh ignored their differences and planned a surprise party for their cousin. 

“Set back” Meaning and Examples

To delay, to affect.

Example

The pandemic has set back the efforts to fight global hunger.

The pandemic has affected the efforts to fight global hunger.

“Set down” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Set down

To write something so it is not forgotten, to record something on paper. 

Example

She loves setting down everything that happens at school in her diary. 

She loves recording everything that happens at school in her diary.

Meaning 2 – Set down

To formally state or inform something.

Example

The clauses of the contract were set down in today’s meeting.

The clauses of the contract were stated in today’s meeting. 

Meaning 3 – Set down

To consider or regard something in a particular way.

Example

Although we had a great time at the beach, Jason is setting down the whole day as something terrible because he got stung by an insect.

Although we had a great time at the beach Jason is considering the whole day to be something terrible because he got stung by an insect. 

“Set forth” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Set forth

To depart, to start a journey.

Example

They set forth at 3 am in the morning because they wanted to arrive for breakfast.

They departed at 3 am in the morning because they wanted to arrive for breakfast.

Meaning 2 – Set forth

To explain something.

Example

The book sets forth the issue in detail. It is really clear.

The book explains the issue in detail. It is really clear.

“Set in” Meaning and Examples

To remain, to start and continue happening for some time.

Example

The rain has set in. We should get back home.

The rain has started and will continue. We should get back home.

Without noticing it, the harsh conditions at work set in. We need to protest.

Without noticing it, the harsh conditions at work remained. We need to protest. 

“Set off” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Set off

To depart, to start a journey.

Example

We set off tomorrow at first light. Don’t oversleep!

We depart tomorrow at first light. Don’t oversleep!

Meaning 2 – Set off

To start something by accident, to make something happen by accident, activate a device by accident, to trigger something. 

Example

The pandemic set off a series of problems that we cannot fix at once.

The pandemic started a series of events that we cannot fix at once.

The thief set off the alarm and the police arrived immediately.

The thief activated the alarm by accident and the police arrived immediately. 

Talking about the accident set off her sad feelings again. That really affected her.

Talking about the accident triggered her sad feelings again. That really affected her. 

Meaning 3 – Set off

To explode.

Example

The criminals threatened to set off a bomb if the police entered the room.

The criminal threatened to explode a bomb if the police entered the room. 

“Set on” Meaning and Examples

To be attacked, normally used in passive voice. Native speakers often use “set upon” with the same meaning.

Example

Jerry was set on by some thugs when he was walking home.

Jerry was attacked by some thugs when he was walking home.

“Set out” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Set out

To depart, to start a journey.

Example

We can stay in this motel for the night and set out in the morning after having slept.

We can stay in this motel for the night and depart in the morning after having slept. 

Meaning 2 – Set out

To explain something.

Example

The plan sets out every step very well. We should not have any problem.

The plan explains every step very well. We should not have any problem. 

Meaning 3 – Set out

To start doing something, to start working on or for something. 

Example

Marla set out on the task. We should go help her with it.

Marla started working on the task. We should go help her with it.

My husband set out to fix the fence. He’s been working for hours.

My husband started fixing the fence. He’s been working for hours.

“Set up” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Set up

To organize something, to create something, to develop something.

Example

The company set up a meeting to discuss the salaries of its employees.

The company organized a meeting to discuss the salaries of its employees.

Jake and Brandon want to set up a new business. They want to sell clothes to old people.

Jake and Brandon want to create a new business. They want to sell clothes to old people.

Meaning 2 – Set up

To build something, to erect something.

Example

The police set up a blockade to keep the criminals from escaping.

The police build a blockade to keep the criminals from escaping.

Meaning 3 – Set up

To make a device operate correctly, to configure a device.

Example

I had my laptop fixed. The tech guy set up everything, and the laptop is now running great.

I had my laptop fixed. The tech guy configured everything, and the laptop is now running great.

Meaning 4 – Set up

To cause something to start happening.

Example

The slow vaccine rollout set up a delay in the return to normal life.

The slow vaccine rollout caused a delay in the return to normal life. 

Meaning 5 – Set up

To blame someone for something, to frame someone, to arrange a situation to blame someone. 

Example

I know Brad is innocent. Someone must have set him up.

I know Brad is innocent. Someone must have arranged the situation to blame him. 

Meaning 6 – Set up

To arrange a date or a relationship between two people.

Example

We should set Patrick up with Angela. They would make a great couple.

We should arrange a date between Patrick and Angela. They would make a great couple.