set in

1. To place or rest someone or something inside of something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "set" and "in." You can set your tools in that box by the door on your way out. He set the sleeping boy in his bed.

2. To become or begin to be established, especially something potentially unpleasant, undesirable, or harmful. As the heatwave sets in across the state, people in some areas are being advised not to leave the house. This part of town always gets a bit spooky when darkness sets in. The trick to cleaning a stain is to start on it right away. Never give it enough time to set in.

3. To attach or affix; to insert. I had my tailor set in a wool lining so that my jacket would be warm enough for the winter. You have to set in the mounting brackets with a screwdriver first before you can hang your television.

4. To become established in one's mind; for something to be understood or accepted. Once the realization of what she'd done set in, I called the police immediately. It took a moment to set in that I wouldn't be returning to this house ever again.

5. To establish some time or place as the setting of a story, play, or film. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "set" and "in." The novel was originally set in China, but they changed it to Japan for the film. I'm not sure why they set the sequel in the past.

6. To set typewritten writing in a particular font or style. I've set the main points in bold so your eye will be drawn to them during your speech. Make sure your essays are set in Times New Roman.

See also: set

set in

to begin; to become fixed for a period of time. A severe cold spell set in early in November. When high temperatures set in, the use of electricity went up considerably.

See also: set

set something in a type face

to set something in type, a particular style of type, or a particular font. Why not set this section in italics to make it stand out from the rest? Why was this paragraph set in bold type?

set in

1. Insert, put in, as in I still have to set in the sleeves and then the sweater will be done. [Late 1300s]

2. Begin to happen or become apparent, as in Darkness was setting in as I left. [c. 1700]

3. Move toward the shore, said of wind or water, as in The tide sets in very quickly here. [Early 1700s]

See also: set

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

set in

1. To insert or fix something securely: The tailor patched my jacket and set in a new liner. I put the stakes in the ground and set them in with a mallet.

2. To become established as an internal or external condition, especially one that brings suffering or hardship to a person or group of people: Panic set in when the people realized the building was on fire. We must put a bandage on your wound before an infection sets in. We need wood for the fire now that winter is setting in.

3. To move toward the shore. Used of wind or water: After nightfall, the wind set in.

See also: set

See also: