set upon
The phrase "set upon" is commonly used to describe a sudden and often aggressive action, either physically or metaphorically.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(informal)To attack someone or something suddenly and violently.
Example
- They were set upon by a gang while walking home.
- The dog set upon the intruder with fierce growls.
B2General
(neutral)To start an activity or task with energy and determination.
Example
- She set upon her new project with great enthusiasm.
- He set upon the task of cleaning the garage over the weekend.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "set upon":
set onset againstset aboutfall uponhit uponseize upondescend uponset alightset on fireset tocome uponset outset downset byset to workset one's cap atsettle onstart in onset offgo aftertake onset forthbring down onrun up ontake aim