Language Research

set · verb

/set/Full view

set the table

B1 to put plates, knives, forks, etc. on the table to prepare for a meal

Dictionary example:

Could you set the table for me, please?

Learner example:

We set the table and wait[ed] for Jun. He was supposed to come around six. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

set (STORY/MOVIE)

B1 T usually passive If a story, movie, etc. is set in a particular time or place, the action in it happens in that time or place.

Dictionary example:

"West Side Story" is set in New York in the late 1950s.

Learner example:

It was an adventure story and I liked it a lot because it was set in Australia. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

set a date/time (for sth)

B1 T to fix a date or time for something

Dictionary examples:

Juan and Maria have set a date for their wedding - it's August 31.

Was a time set for the meeting yet?

Learner example:

I'm going to miss your class tomor[r]ow, but we can set a date to cover the work on. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

set (SUN)

B1 I When the sun sets, it moves down in the sky until it cannot be seen.

Dictionary example:

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Learner example:

I loved the thin fog before the sun set. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

set (EQUIPMENT)

B2 T to make a piece of equipment ready to be used

Dictionary examples:

The dishwasher is set to go on in two hours.

Did you set the timer?

I need to set the clock to the right time.

He set the alarm for 7:00 a.m.

Learner example:

I had forgotten to set the alarm clock the previous night and by the time I got up it was already 9 o'clock. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

set (BE IN PLACE)

B2 T usually passive if something is set somewhere, it is in that place or position

Dictionary examples:

It's a new, glass building set right in the middle of my old neighborhood.

Our house is set back from the street.

Learner example:

The camp is set in a beautiful place in the heart of nature, with lots of opportunities to get out of the camp if you want to. (First Certificate in English; B2; Breton)

set (CONDITION)

B2 T to cause something or someone to be in the stated condition or situation

Dictionary examples:

Officials believed the building was set on fire deliberately.

She set fire to to the logs in the fireplace.

What you said yesterday set me thinking.

The men who had wrongfully been found guilty were finally set free.

Learner example:

A modern zoo must be [like] a forest, without cages, and the animals must be set free. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

set (ACHIEVE)

B2 to give someone something to do or achieve

Dictionary examples:

We were set a difficult task.

He's set himself the goal/target of making his first million by the time he's 30.

Learner example:

I suggest it [would] be a good idea to set more projections next year. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

set an example

B2 to do something in a good way so that other people might try to copy you

Dictionary example:

Try to set a good example to the children.

Learner example:

It sets a good example for other museums. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

set a record

B2 to establish the best achievement so far in a sport or competition

Dictionary example:

Bolt has set a new world record.

set (LEVEL)

C1 to decide the level of something

Dictionary example:

The interest rate has been set at 5%.

Learner example:

In addition to all this, I must point out that our agreement regarding the student discount on all tickets was set at 10%, not 5%, as you mentioned on your handout. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Romanian)

set foot in/on sth

C1 to go into a place or onto a piece of land

Dictionary example:

He told me never to set foot in his house again.

Learner example:

I dream of being the first one to set foot on a white sandy beach, to admire a new kind of vegetation: cranberry bushes, sweet potatoes, wild turkeys, a different climate; how scary and exciting at the same time! (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; French)

set guidelines/standards, etc.

C2 to establish guidelines, standards, etc. that must be followed

Dictionary example:

Our school sets very high standards and most students achieve them.

Learner example:

But I do know that even though my parents were indulgent, affectionate and warm, they still quite clearly set standards on how I was supposed to behave. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

set sth down/on, etc.

C2 to put something somewhere

Dictionary example:

She set the vase down on the table.

set fire to sth; set sth on fire

C2 to make something start burning, usually to cause damage

Dictionary example:

Enemy troops set fire to the village.

Learner example:

At this point nothing made sense anymore, so I just watched while Jake set the car on fire. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

set sail

C2 to start a trip on a boat or ship

Dictionary example:

We set sail for home the next day.

Learner example:

What made things turn from gr[a]y to black was that soon after my return I was invited to set sail to the Spanish islands. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)

set your sights on sth

C2 to decide to achieve something

Dictionary example:

She's set her sights on becoming a doctor.

Learner example:

This resemblance was the final silent argument that convinced Wormold to promise Milly the expensive and beautiful horse she had set her sights on. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

set sth aside or set aside sth

B2 to save something, usually money, for a particular purpose

Dictionary example:

She sets aside $100 every month to save for vacation.

Learner example:

You never know when you'll need extra money, so it'll be important for you to set some aside. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

set back sb/sth or set sb/sth back

C1 to make something happen more slowly or later than it should

Dictionary examples:

These delays have set back the publication date by a month.

Another failed harvest would really set these farmers back.

Learner example:

She would put off school which set her back a couple of years but she was free to choose and do what she really enjoyed do[ing]. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

set off

B1 to start a journey

Dictionary examples:

What time do we have to set off for the airport tomorrow?

They just set off on an around-the-world cruise.

Learner example:

We set off [for] home at 5 o'clock. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)

set off sth or set sth off

C2 to cause something to begin or happen, especially a loud noise or a lot of activity

Dictionary examples:

The spark set off a loud explosion.

The announcement set off a wave of protest.

Learner example:

He would set off the smoke alarm by lighting some of his matches. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

set out (TRIP)

B1 to begin a trip

Dictionary examples:

Martin set out on his bike ride before dawn.

When do you want to set out?

Learner example:

Next morning I packed my luggage and set out on our trip to France. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Slovak)

set out (AIM)

C2 to start an activity with a particular aim

Dictionary examples:

She set out with the aim of becoming the youngest ever winner of the championship.

They set out to discover a cure for cancer.

Learner example:

That is why the day her son was named emperor a smile of satisfaction played round her lips, because at last she had achieved what she had set out to do, which was make her son ascend the throne. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

set out sth or set sth out

B2 to give all the details of something, or to explain something clearly, especially in writing

Dictionary examples:

All the project costs are set out in this proposal.

She gave a presentation setting out the company's future plans.

Learner example:

I'm writing this composition to set out the main statements in favor of the idea that more help is needed to protect the enviro[n]ment. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

set up sth or set sth up (ORGANIZATION)

B1 to formally establish a new company, organization, system, way of working, etc.

Dictionary examples:

A committee has been set up to organize the club's social events.

She plans to set up her own business.

They've set up a fund for victims of the earthquake.

Learner example:

It is such a beautiful country that I wanted to stay there and set up a business. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

set up sth or set sth up (EVENT/ACTIVITY)

B2 to arrange for an event or activity to happen

Dictionary examples:

We need to set up a meeting to discuss the proposals.

The city council has agreed to set up a public review.

Learner example:

I suggest we try to set up a meeting with people from city hall, and give them all the right arguments. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

set · noun C

/set/

set (GROUP)

A2 a group of things that belong together

Dictionary examples:

a boxed set of DVDs

a chess/train/chemistry set

a set of instructions/rules

a set of keys

We bought Charles and Mandy a set of salad bowls as a wedding present.

I always keep a tool set in the back of my car.

It seems like a complicated set of rules!

We need to establish a new set of priorities.

Learner example:

We have to bring a notebook and a painting set. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

set (TENNIS)

B2 a part of a game of tennis

Dictionary example:

They won in straight sets.

Learner example:

Finally we managed to win the [second] set so we were equal. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

set (MOVIE/PLAY)

B2 the place where a movie or play is performed or recorded, and the furniture, pictures, etc. that are used

Dictionary examples:

a movie set

a stage set

a set designer

They first met on the set of "Star Wars."

Learner example:

Her father, John, was a stuntperson and he died in an unfortunate accident while he was perform[ing] [o]n a film set. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

set · adjective

/set/

be all set

C1 to be ready

Dictionary example:

We were all set to go when the phone rang.

Learner example:

So, there you go. I'm all set! (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

set

C2 fixed and never changing

Dictionary examples:

Most people work a set number of hours each week.

I don't have a set routine.

Learner example:

Even if there is a set number of standard models, there is always ample room for personal choice according to your taste. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)