15 Phrasal Verbs with Set to Boost Your Speech
One of the best ways to enrich your vocabulary and boost your English speaking skills is to learn figurative and idiomatic expressions. Such phrases are used to convey complex ideas within superficial words, which simultaneously makes your speech more simplistic while presenting more native-like. This is why we are going to focus on phrasal verbs with set today, giving you 15 new sayings to memorize.
In our series on different phrasal verbs, we discuss the meaning behind various phrases that are widely used by native speakers, as well as providing you with example sentences to make your learning experience more comprehensive.
In this article, we will also dive into what a phrasal verb with set means and how you can incorporate this part of speech into your daily conversations. Let’s get right into it!
Phrasal verbs with set: list of 15 frequently used
#1Set aside
Our first set phrasal verb of the day is set aside. The meaning behind this expression is to save or allocate some resources, usually time or money, to go toward an important or unusual event. It can also be used to say you have postponed something for a later time. Curiously, this phrase is similar to one of the phrasal verbs with put and can be used interchangeably.
Example:
- I set aside some amount of money from my latest paycheck to take my wife on a special romantic vacation on the islands.
- If my mom found out that I set aside my homework after I came from school to play video games, she would be really mad at me.
#2Set apart
When a thing sets someone or something apart from the rest of similar groups, it means that the person or object presents with unique or unusual characteristics. Typically, this expression can be used both positively and negatively, depending on the context.
Example:
- The new coworker’s job application included participation in various types of creative projects, which set her apart from all the other candidates.
- The car manufacturer presented a new model with features that set it apart from the previous releases.
#3Set about
To set about refers to beginning or restarting an action. Sometimes, this phrasal verb can also be used to say someone is preparing to attack someone. However, such usage is quite rare.
Example:
- I set about my new project when I realized we were lacking factual material to complete it on time.
- It was my turn to set about mowing the lawn, but I was too tired from my late night shift to get off the couch.
#4Set against
The phrasal verb set against means a few different things. The first is to feel strongly about not wanting to do a certain action. It can also mean to compare two things against one another. Another definition includes setting someone against someone, which means making two people dislike each other. In this case, this expression is similar to one of the phrasal verbs with take.
Example:
- My mother was definitely set against my father’s wish to send me off to a military college.
- A friend of mine told me a secret about the other friend, so now I have the hidden power to set them against each other.
#5Set back
When something sets you can, it means it delays or reverses your progress or development of an activity. The word “setback” can also be used as a noun and refer to the same situation.
Example:
- The breakage in the cooling center had set us back two weeks before we could finish repairing the machine.
- When the governor introduced a new civil law, we knew it would set social workers back for some time.
#6Set down
This phrasal verb with set refers to someone or something being put in place or settled in a particular position. On top of that, this expression can also mean to write something down, especially as a formal record.
Example:
- When I heard my newborn crying from upstairs, I set down the dishes I was doing and came up to comfort her.
- Unexpectedly, I had a wave of inspiration, so I had to quickly set down the melody from my head onto paper before I had forgotten it.
#7Set forth
When someone sets something forth, it means they are sharing or explaining their ideas to others. This phrase can also be used to establish the rules, put upfront some suggestions, or express concerns. In addition, this expression is fairly similar to one of the phrasal verbs with come, which you can learn more about.
Example:
- As a teacher, when I set forth suggestions about the following summer’s activities, the director completely ignored my propositions.
- I set forth my plans to travel to another country to see my favorite band play at a concert, but my parents were very against it.
#8Set in
To set in is familiar to set about in a way that means to begin. However, this phrase is used to describe when something bad or unpleasant sets in, it is likely to continue or become settled.
Example:
- The cold of the winter is about to set in for the rest of the season, so it’s time to buy pretty warm clothes.
- The heartbreak of splitting up with his ex-girlfriend is begging to set in for a while.
#9Set off
When something is set off, it means it causes a chain reaction of events or activities to begin happening. In addition, it can also mean an explosion or a loud alarming noise going off from a device.
Example:
- At times when I feel nostalgic, I rewatch a video of my friend setting off a firework at the shore of a beach where we were vacationing.
- The economic crisis of the early 2000s set off a wave of unemployment across the country.
#10Set out
To set something out refers to arranging or starting a particular activity with a specific goal, idea, or aim in mind. You can find one of the similar phrasal verbs with look in our series to compare.
Example:
- He set out to graduate high school with all straight A’s in order to apply for a prestigious college degree.
- When I set out to compete in an annual marathon, I didn’t account for the fact that I had to work out every day, change my diet, and quit bad habits.
#11Set on
One of the more unique phrasal verbs with word set from our previous ones is to set on. This phrase refers to causing someone to attack or hurt another person or thing, especially upon a request of an individual.
Example:
- In some of the films, you can see a robber trying to get away and the security personnel setting guard dogs to chase and catch them.
- My classmate threatens to set his older brother on me if I don’t stop pocking fun at him.
#12Set to
Set to refers to the action of beginning to do something energetically or vigorously. In some contexts, this phrasal verb can also mean to begin a conflict, dispute, or even a physical fight between two or more people and is written as a “set-to.”
Example:
- Me and my college friends were set to have a fantastic camping adventure in the Carpathian mountains this summer.
- My mother had a set-to with my music teacher because the teacher didn’t want to give a main part to sing in the choir.
#13Set up
To set up is one of the phrasal verbs with set that has many distinct definitions depending on the context of the conversation. The first one is to arrange something into a high or appropriate position. Another use of this phrase, written as a setup, is also used as a noun to mean different things. One refers to an arrangement of tools to operate something, like a camera for a movie scene.
Example:
- I set up the last Christmas tree decoration on the top — a shining star.
- When we went to the theater last time, the preparation and the setup were immensely throughout.
#14Set someone up
Setting someone up carries a different meaning from the previously mentioned set up. In this case, it refers to providing a person with all of the necessary tools or resources in order for them to achieve success in a particular matter. Other definitions of this phrasal verb include deceiving, meaning tricking someone into doing what you want or making them guilty of things that you have done.
Example:
- I set John up with my HR to see if he could be a right fit for the job since he told me he was struggling after getting fired.
- To avoid getting punished by my mother, I set my dog up as if he was the one who ate all of the candy in the house.
#15Set upon
As one of our last phrasal verbs with set for today, the expression to set upon refers to preparing to physically or verbally attack or harass another person. An alternative meaning of this verb is to make an offensive move in a certain game or sport.
Example:
- During the 1920s, mobs were regularly set upon by police forces when they were having a fun time in casinos.
- The dispute in the local neighborhood has set once friendly neighbors upon one another.
The meaning behind a phrasal verb with set
Many students struggle with the topic of phrasal verbs since they are used to learning the literal meanings of expressions they come across. With that being said, working to understand various phrases and sayings is a representative aspect of your proficiency in the English language.
Set phrasal verbs, like all others, are created with a combination of a main verb that is followed by a particle, which is usually a preposition or an adverb. The main point of phrasal verbs you need to remember to wrap your head around them is that they are used strictly figuratively, and most of the time, the meanings don’t represent the words used to form the phrases.
For example, let’s examine the phrasal verb “to set someone up”. Separately, “set”, “someone”, and “up” mean distinctively different things. However, when combined together, they create a whole new meaning, with this particular phrase even a couple of new definitions.
Interestingly, this part of speech, such as phrasal verbs with set, phrasal verbs with get, and all the rest, doesn’t always follow a strict structure. This means some specific phrases can be separated through the sentence and still be considered correct. For instance, you can say, “I set down my books”. At the same time, you can also say, “I set my books down”, and that form will still be appropriate to use.
There are a lot of intricacies related to various phrasal verbs, how they are constructed, and how they are used. Despite that, getting the hang of them can significantly expand your speaking abilities, making your level more proficient.
Summarizing phrasal verbs with set
Phrasal verbs have fascinated non-native English students for a long time. It is no doubt that this part of speech is intricate and exciting to learn at the same time. Its usage intrigues learners across the globe since figurative and idiomatic expressions are able to convey complex situations and feelings using simple terms.
In this article, we have taken a closer look at 15 phrasal verbs with set that speakers widely use. Memorizing these multifaceted expressions can remarkably assist you in boosting your speaking skills and enriching your vocabulary with casual sayings.
We also unraveled a part of the complex construction of this topic, helping you better understand what phrasal verbs really are. Don’t forget to practice your abilities on a regular basis to keep your progress consistent.
