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- set about
set about
set someone about something
to make someone begin doing something. I set the boys about raking up the leaves. She set herself about repairing the damaged machine.
set about something/doing something
also set about to do something to begin to do or deal with something Beall has set about the delicate task of getting the companies to work together. After putting up the tent, she set about making a fire. I bought a computer, got a book of instructions, and set about to learn how to use it.
set about
Begin, start, as in How do we set about solving this puzzle? [c. 1600]
set about
v. To start doing something or some task: After collecting sticks, the campers set about building a fire.