set a spell
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
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set a thief to catch a thief
Use someone with questionable character to help solve a problem
set at large
At liberty. It is a French phrase; prendre la large is to stand out to sea, or occupy the main ocean, so as to be free to move. Similarly, to be set at large is to be placed free in the wide world.
set back
to hinder or delay progress
set by the ears
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
set down
to write or record something
set eyes on
to see someone or something for the first time
set foot
to enter or visit a place
set for life
Having enough resources to be financially secure forever
set in motion
To start something happening or to put a plan into action
set in one's ways
Unwilling to change habits or opinions
set in stone
Completely decided and unchangeable
set of pipes
a person who can play music well
set of wheels
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
set off
start a journey or trip
set on
To attack.
set one's cap at
to try to win someone's love or affection
set one's hair on fire
to take drastic or extreme action
set one's heart on
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
set one's shoulder to the wheel
To make a strong effort to accomplish something
set one's watch back
to return to a previous time or situation
set one's watch by someone
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
set out one's stall
To present or promote something, especially a proposal or idea, in a clear and attractive way
set pulses racing
to cause someone to feel excited or thrilled
set something up
to arrange or organize something
set store by
to consider something important or valuable
set straight
To correct or inform someone about a mistake
set the bar
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
set the fox to mind the geese
To put someone in charge who is likely to harm or exploit what they are supposed to protect
set the pace
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
set the record straight
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
set the stage
To prepare or create a situation for something to happen
set the Thames on fire
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
set the wheels in motion
To start a process or take the first steps towards a goal
set the world on fire
To achieve great success or cause a sensation
set to
To begin something with determination; to commence a long and difficult task or project.
set to do something
intend or plan to do something
set to work
start doing something
set up one's staff
To establish oneself as an independent worker or professional
set up shop
To establish a business or operation in a particular location
set-to
A sparring match, a fight; "a DEAD SET" is a determined opposition in argument, or in movement.
setter
A bailiff's follower, who, like a setting dog follows and points the game for his master. Also sometimes an exciseman.
setter
Sevenpence. Italian, SETTE. See SALTEE.—Lingua Franca.
setting a hen
Giving her a certain number of eggs to hatch.
setting a saw
Bending the teeth alternately to the right and left in order to make it cut.
setting her cap at him
Trying to catch him for a sweetheart or a husband. In the days when ladies habitually wore caps they would naturally put on the most becoming, to attract the attention and admiration of the favoured gentleman.
setting jewels
Taking the best portions of a clever book not much known to the general public, and incorporating them quietly with a new work by a thoroughly original author. The credit of this term belongs to Mr. Charles Reade, who explained that the process is accountable for the presence of some writing by one Jonathan Swift, in a story published at Christmas, 1872, and called The Wandering Heir.
settle
To kill, ruin, or effectually quiet a person.
settle a score
to punish or get revenge on someone for something they did
settle for
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
settle in
become comfortable and accustomed to a new place or situation
settle into
become comfortable or accustomed to a new situation
settle one's account
Pay what one owes, often to leave a place or end a relationship
settle someone's hash
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
settle upon
To decide on or choose something
settle with
come to an agreement or compromise
settled
Transported, or sent to penal servitude for life; sometimes spoken of as WINDED-SETTLED.
settling on the lees
Making the best of a bad job ; settling down on what is left, after having squandered the main part of one's fortune.
Seven Churches of Asia
Those mentioned in Rev. i, 11, viz.: — (1) Ephesus, founded by St. Paul, 57, in a ruinous state in the time of Justinian.
Seven Deadly sins
Pride, Wrath, Envy, Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, Sloth. The Island of the Seven Cities. A land of Spanish fable, where seven bishops, who quit- ted Spain during the dominion of the Moors, founded seven cities. The legend says that many have visited the island, but no one has ever quitted it.
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