set to
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To begin something with determination; to commence a long and difficult task or project.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Having laid out the picnic, the hungry boys set to with gusto.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Register: archaic
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “set to” mean?
To begin something with determination; to commence a long and difficult task or project.
Is “set to” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.