30 Phrasal Verbs using “SET” with Meanings and Sentences
Phrasal verbs are an important part of everyday English, and the verb “set” is used in many common and useful phrasal verbs.
These phrasal verbs often have meanings that are different from the base verb, which can be confusing for English learners.
Learning phrasal verbs with “set” helps learners understand real spoken English and express ideas more naturally.
This blog post, “30 Phrasal Verbs Using ‘SET’ with Meanings and Sentences,” is specially created for students, beginners, and ESL learners.
In this post, you will learn frequently used SET phrasal verbs, along with their simple meanings and clear example sentences, to help you use them confidently in daily English.
Set up
Meaning: To arrange or organize something.
Sentence: They set up the chairs and tables for the meeting.
Set off
Meaning: To begin a journey or start something.
Sentence: We set off early to avoid the traffic.
Set out
Meaning: To start doing something with a particular goal in mind.
Sentence: She set out to become a successful entrepreneur.
Set back
Meaning: To delay or hinder progress.
Sentence: The rain set back the construction schedule.
Set aside
Meaning: To reserve or save something for a specific purpose.
Sentence: They set aside some money for their vacation.
Set in
Meaning: To begin or start (often something unpleasant).
Sentence: The cold weather set in as autumn approached.
Set down
Meaning: To write or record something.
Sentence: He set down his thoughts in a journal.
Set on
Meaning: To be determined or intent on something.
Sentence: She was set on winning the competition.
Set to
Meaning: To begin working on something energetically.
Sentence: They set to work on the new project immediately.
Set up for
Meaning: To prepare or arrange for something.
Sentence: The team set up for the presentation.
Set forth
Meaning: To present or explain something.
Sentence: The professor set forth his theories on the subject.
Set about
Meaning: To begin doing something.
Sentence: She set about organizing the files.
Set off for
Meaning: To start a journey toward a destination.
Sentence: They set off for the airport at dawn.
Set to
Meaning: To begin working with enthusiasm.
Sentence: The workers set to repairing the broken fence.
Set in motion
Meaning: To start a process or action.
Sentence: The manager set the new policy in motion.
Set one’s sights on
Meaning: To focus on a particular goal or target.
Sentence: She set her sights on becoming a top lawyer.
More phrasal verbs:
Set a precedent
Meaning: To establish a pattern or example for future reference.
Sentence: The landmark case set a precedent for future rulings.
Set about doing something
Meaning: To begin to tackle a task.
Sentence: They set about cleaning the house for the party.
Set up camp
Meaning: To establish a temporary place to stay.
Sentence: They set up camp near the river for the weekend.
Set the table
Meaning: To arrange dishes, cutlery, and glasses for a meal.
Sentence: She set the table for dinner.
Set out on
Meaning: To begin an adventure or journey.
Sentence: They set out on a road trip across the country.
Set one’s mind to
Meaning: To decide to do something and focus on it.
Sentence: If you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything.
Set up an appointment
Meaning: To arrange a meeting or consultation.
Sentence: She set up an appointment with her doctor.
Set in stone
Meaning: To be fixed and unchangeable.
Sentence: The plans are set in stone; no changes can be made.
Set forth on
Meaning: To start a journey or mission.
Sentence: They set forth on their voyage to explore new lands.
Set to rights
Meaning: To correct or fix something that is wrong.
Sentence: They set the broken equipment to rights.
Set aside time
Meaning: To reserve a specific amount of time for something.
Sentence: She set aside time each day for exercise.
Set someone straight
Meaning: To correct someone’s misunderstanding.
Sentence: He set her straight about the details of the project.
Set the stage for
Meaning: To create conditions for something to happen.
Sentence: The new policies set the stage for economic growth.
Set up a plan
Meaning: To devise a strategy or plan of action.
Sentence: They set up a plan to improve their business operations.
Conclusion:
Phrasal verbs with SET are extremely useful in everyday English because they appear in daily conversations, news, stories, and exams. Learning phrases like set up, set off, and set aside helps you express ideas about starting, arranging, delaying, and reacting more naturally.
To master SET phrasal verbs, don’t try to memorize them all at once. Practice a few every day, use them in short sentences, and notice how native speakers use them in real-life situations. The more you use them, the more confident and fluent your English will become.
With regular practice, these 30 SET phrasal verbs will become a natural part of your speaking and writing—helping you sound clearer, more accurate, and more confident in English.
Practice more spoken English with these conversations:
- Spoken English Conversations at An Airport
- English Dialogues About Work-Life Balance
- English Dialogues About The Impact of Music
- Conversation in English About First Date
