Читаем Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

1 PHRASAL VERB If one argument or fact is set against another, it is considered in relation to it. □ [be V -ed P n] These are relatively small points when set against her expertise on so many other issues. [Also V n P n]

2 PHRASAL VERB To set one person against another means to cause them to become enemies or rivals. □ [V n P n] The case has set neighbour against neighbour in the village.

▸  set apart PHRASAL VERB If a characteristic sets you apart from other people, it makes you different from the others in a noticeable way. □ [V n P + from ] What sets it apart from hundreds of similar small French towns is the huge factory. □ [V n P ] Li blends right into the crowd of teenagers. Only his accent sets him apart.

▸  set aside

1 PHRASAL VERB If you set something aside for a special use or purpose, you keep it available for that use or purpose. □ [V P n] Some doctors advise setting aside a certain hour each day for worry. □ [be V -ed P + for ] £130 million would be set aside for repairs to schools. [Also V n P ]

2 PHRASAL VERB If you set aside a belief, principle, or feeling, you decide that you will not be influenced by it. □ [V P n] He urged them to set aside minor differences for the sake of peace. [Also V n P ]

▸  set back

1 PHRASAL VERB If something sets you back or sets back a project or scheme, it causes a delay. □ [V n P ] It has set us back so far that I'm not sure if we can catch up. □ [V P n] There will be a risk of public protest that could set back reforms.

2 PHRASAL VERB If something sets you back a certain amount of money, it costs you that much money. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P amount] In 1981 dinner for two in New York would set you back £5.

3 → see also setback

▸  set down

1 PHRASAL VERB If a committee or organization sets down rules for doing something, it decides what they should be and officially records them. □ [V P n] The Safety at Sea Bill set down regulations to improve safety on fishing vessels. [Also V n P ]

2 PHRASAL VERB If you set down your thoughts or experiences, you write them all down. □ [V P n] Old Walter is setting down his memories of village life. [Also V n P ]

▸  set forth PHRASAL VERB If you set forth a number of facts, beliefs, or arguments, you explain them in writing or speech in a clear, organized way. [FORMAL ] □ [V P n] Dr. Mesibov set forth the basis of his approach to teaching students.

▸  set in PHRASAL VERB If something unpleasant sets in , it begins and seems likely to continue or develop. □ [V P ] Then disappointment sets in as they see the magic is no longer there. □ [V P ] Winter is setting in and the population is facing food and fuel shortages.

▸  set off

1 PHRASAL VERB When you set off , you start a journey. □ [V P prep/adv] Nichols set off for his remote farmhouse in Connecticut. □ [V P ] I set off, full of optimism.

2 PHRASAL VERB If something sets off something such as an alarm or a bomb, it makes it start working so that, for example, the alarm rings or the bomb explodes. □ [V P n] Any escape, once it's detected, sets off the alarm. □ [V n P ] It could take months before evidence emerges on how the bomb was made, and who set it off.

3 PHRASAL VERB If something sets off an event or a series of events, it causes it to start happening. □ [V P n] The arrival of the charity van set off a minor riot as villagers scrambled for a share of the aid. [Also V n P ]