set-to

[ set-too ]

/ ˈsɛtˌtu /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR set-to ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural set-tos.

a usually brief, sharp fight or argument.

Origin of set-to

First recorded in 1735–45; noun use of verb phrase set to

Words nearby set-to

settle with, settling, settlings, settling tank, settlor, set-to, set tongues wagging, set-top, set-top box, set to rights, Setúbal

Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for set-to

But that was all like playing skretch-cradle to our set-to last night in the dark.
Fix Bay'nets|George Manville Fenn
What police had had the set-to with the crowd at the Fort Wayne depot?
Report of the Committee Appointed to Investigate the Railroad Riots in July, 1877|Various
Soon Billy happened in at the same place, and a set-to occurred at sight, in which the average was no disarranged.
Romance of California Life|John Habberton
So saying, she flourished her duster as if about to set-to again.
Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour|R. S. Surtees

Went to the chapel last night, I understand, and he and dad had a set-to.
Keziah Coffin|Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for set-to

set to

verb (intr, adverb)

to begin working

to start fighting

noun set-to

informal a brief disagreement or fight

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with set-to