set about (one)
set about (one)
old-fashioned To attack or assault one physically. The two thugs set about the poor man with iron crowbars. I accosted the man for his rude remarks, and he set about me before I knew what was happening.
See also: set
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
set someone about something
to make someone begin doing something. I set the boys about raking up the leaves. She set herself about repairing the damaged machine.
See also: set
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
set about
Begin, start, as in How do we set about solving this puzzle? [c. 1600]
See also: set
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
set about
v.
To start doing something or some task: After collecting sticks, the campers set about building a fire.
See also: set
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- iron man
- man on the make
- man after my own heart
- a man after (one's) own heart
- a man, woman, etc. after your own heart
- as one man
- better be an old man's darling than a young man's slave
- darling
- a man/woman of few words
- man of few words, a