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SET ABOUT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (verb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
Example:
Let's get down to work now
Synonyms:
begin; commence; get; get down; set about; set out; start; start out
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Verb group:
begin (begin to speak, understand, read, and write a language)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "set about"):
recommence (begin again)
strike out (set out on a course of action)
fall (begin vigorously)
jump off (set off quickly, usually with success)
get to (arrive at the point of)
auspicate (commence in a manner calculated to bring good luck)
attack (set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task)
break in (start in a certain activity, enterprise, or role)
launch; plunge (begin with vigor)
come on (occur or become available)
embark; enter (set out on (an enterprise or subject of study))
bestir oneself; get cracking; get going; get moving; get rolling; get started; get weaving (start to be active)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Somebody ----s VERB-ing
Sentence example:
They set about moving
Sense 2
Meaning:
Enter upon an activity or enterprise
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "set about" is one way to...):
initiate; pioneer (take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s VERB-ing
Sense 3
Meaning:
Begin to deal with
Example:
approach a new project
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "set about" is one way to...):
act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "set about"):
confront; face; face up (deal with (something unpleasant) head on)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s VERB-ing
Context examples:
Having resolved to do it without loss of time, as his leave of absence extended only to the following Saturday, and having no feelings of diffidence to make it distressing to himself even at the moment, he set about it in a very orderly manner, with all the observances, which he supposed a regular part of the business.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
He it was that came up on the poop without orders and dragged Johnson forward, where he set about dressing his wounds as well as he could and making him comfortable.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
If you'd only set about another task of some sort, you'd soon be your hearty, happy self again, and forget your trouble.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
It was rather too late in the day to set about being simple-minded and ignorant; but she left her with every previous resolution confirmed of being humble and discreet, and repressing imagination all the rest of her life.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
She could not but own that she should be very glad of a little tea, and Susan immediately set about making it, as if pleased to have the employment all to herself; and with only a little unnecessary bustle, and some few injudicious attempts at keeping her brothers in better order than she could, acquitted herself very well.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Crawling on all fours, I made steadily but slowly towards them, till at last, raising my head to an aperture among the leaves, I could see clear down into a little green dell beside the marsh, and closely set about with trees, where Long John Silver and another of the crew stood face to face in conversation.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
By the time it was dark, wind and sea had become too strong for the boat, and I reluctantly took in the sail and set about making a drag or sea-anchor.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
No persuasions or enticements could overcome her fear, till, the fact coming to Mr. Laurence's ear in some mysterious way, he set about mending matters.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Fanny was very anxious to be useful, and not to appear above her home, or in any way disqualified or disinclined, by her foreign education, from contributing her help to its comforts, and therefore set about working for Sam immediately; and by working early and late, with perseverance and great despatch, did so much that the boy was shipped off at last, with more than half his linen ready.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
I had unloaded the boat and carried its contents high up on the beach, where I had set about making a camp.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
