set to work
The phrase "set to work" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the initiation of an activity or task, often with a sense of determination.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic, intransitive)To begin a task or activity with determination.
Example
- As soon as he got home, he went to his desk and set to work.
B2Specific Task
(idiomatic, intransitive, with gerund)To start working on a particular task or project.
Example
- She set to work cleaning the house as soon as she arrived.
B2Directive
(idiomatic, transitive)To cause someone or something to begin working.
Example
- The manager set the team to work on the new project immediately.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "set to work":
put to workget work donego to workset aboutwork onset toset onwork inhave work doneget busydo a lot of workset outset uponwork awayput in the workwork throughset offset up shopstart in onget startedcrack onroll up one's sleevesat workwork overset bywork upall setwork it