Dictionary entry details
• SET ABOUT (verb)
Meaning:
Begin to deal with
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
go about; set about; approach
Context examples:
approach a task / go about a difficult problem / approach a new project
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
Meaning:
Enter upon an activity or enterprise
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Synonyms:
undertake; set about; attempt
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
Meaning:
Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
begin; start out; start; set out; commence; set about; get down; get
Context examples:
We began working at dawn / Who will start? / Get working as soon as the sun rises! / The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia / He began early in the day / Let's get down to work now
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "set about"):
recommence (begin again)
bestir oneself; get cracking; get going; get moving; get rolling; get started; get weaving (start to be active)
embark; enter (set out on (an enterprise or subject of study))
come on (occur or become available)
launch; plunge (begin with vigor)
break in (start in a certain activity, enterprise, or role)
attack (set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task)
auspicate (commence in a manner calculated to bring good luck)
get to (arrive at the point of)
jump off (set off quickly, usually with success)
fall (begin vigorously)
strike out (set out on a course of action)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Somebody ----s VERB-ing
Sentence example:
They set about moving
