15秒でわかる
- A sudden, often group-led physical or verbal attack.
- Usually used in passive voice: 'to be set upon'.
- Implies being overwhelmed or caught completely by surprise.
意味
When you are 'set upon,' it means you are suddenly and violently attacked by someone or something. It often implies being surrounded or caught off guard by a group.
主な例文
3 / 6Reporting a crime
The tourist was set upon by a group of thieves near the station.
The tourist was attacked by a group of thieves near the station.
A nature documentary
The lone deer was suddenly set upon by a pride of lions.
The lone deer was suddenly attacked by a pride of lions.
A tough day at the office
As soon as I walked into the meeting, I was set upon by colleagues demanding answers.
As soon as I walked into the meeting, I was attacked by colleagues demanding answers.
文化的背景
In the UK, 'set upon' is a staple of crime reporting in newspapers like The Guardian or The Daily Mail. It adds a sense of drama and victimhood to the story. The phrase is deeply embedded in the English literary canon, from Dickens to fantasy writers. It evokes a world where travel is dangerous and ambushes are common. In the age of social media, 'set upon' is increasingly used to describe 'dogpiling,' where hundreds of users attack one person's comments or reputation simultaneously. Often used in Australia when discussing attacks by native wildlife, particularly dingoes or magpies during 'swooping season.'
Use the Passive
You will sound most natural using 'was set upon' or 'were set upon.'
Don't use 'setted'
The past tense of 'set' is always 'set.' Never say 'setted upon.'
15秒でわかる
- A sudden, often group-led physical or verbal attack.
- Usually used in passive voice: 'to be set upon'.
- Implies being overwhelmed or caught completely by surprise.
What It Means
Imagine you are walking down a quiet street. Suddenly, three people jump out and attack you. You have been set upon. It is a strong, descriptive way to say someone was jumped or ambushed. It usually involves more than one attacker. It feels more dramatic than just saying 'attacked.'
How To Use It
You usually use it in the passive voice. This means you say 'he was set upon' or 'they were set upon.' You can also use it for animals. A hiker might be set upon by a pack of wolves. It focuses on the victim's experience of the suddenness. Don't use it for a planned boxing match. Use it for unexpected trouble.
When To Use It
Use this when telling a story about a crime or a nature documentary. It works well in news reports or dramatic novels. You can also use it metaphorically. If your boss and three managers all criticize you at once, you were set upon by the board. It captures that feeling of being overwhelmed. It’s perfect for when you feel ganged up on.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for a friendly argument. If your friend disagrees with your pizza choice, they didn't set upon you. Also, do not use it for a slow, long-term conflict. It must be sudden. If a war lasts ten years, you wouldn't say the country was set upon for a decade. It’s a flash of action, not a long process.
Cultural Background
This phrase has a very 'Old World' feel to it. It sounds like something from a Sherlock Holmes story or a Victorian novel. In British English, it is quite common in police reports. It suggests a lack of fairness. Culturally, being set upon implies the victim had no chance to defend themselves properly. It taps into the fear of the 'angry mob.'
Common Variations
You might hear set on instead of set upon. They mean the same thing, but set upon sounds more literary and serious. Another variation is fall upon, which is even more old-fashioned. If you want to sound modern and tough, you might say 'jumped.' But set upon keeps a touch of class even in a violent context.
使い方のコツ
This is a formal/neutral phrasal verb. It is most effective in storytelling or reporting. Remember that 'set' does not change form in the past tense.
Use the Passive
You will sound most natural using 'was set upon' or 'were set upon.'
Don't use 'setted'
The past tense of 'set' is always 'set.' Never say 'setted upon.'
Metaphorical Use
Use it to describe being overwhelmed by work or questions to sound more descriptive in your writing.
News Context
If you see this in a headline, expect a story about a crime or a dramatic event.
例文
6The tourist was set upon by a group of thieves near the station.
The tourist was attacked by a group of thieves near the station.
Standard use describing a physical ambush.
The lone deer was suddenly set upon by a pride of lions.
The lone deer was suddenly attacked by a pride of lions.
Used for animal attacks in the wild.
As soon as I walked into the meeting, I was set upon by colleagues demanding answers.
As soon as I walked into the meeting, I was attacked by colleagues demanding answers.
Metaphorical use for verbal pressure.
I felt like I was being set upon by seagulls the moment I opened my chips!
I felt like I was being attacked by seagulls the moment I opened my chips!
A lighter, slightly humorous take on the phrase.
The messenger was set upon in the woods and his letters were stolen.
The messenger was attacked in the woods and his letters were stolen.
Classic storytelling context.
The champion was set upon by a flurry of punches he didn't see coming.
The champion was attacked by a flurry of punches he didn't see coming.
Focuses on the suddenness of the strikes.
自分をテスト
Fill in the missing words to complete the sentence.
The lone hiker was ___ ___ by a pack of hungry wolves.
'Set upon' is the correct phrase for a sudden attack by animals.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a metaphorical sense?
Choose the best option:
This correctly describes being swarmed by a group of people.
Match the phrase with its closest meaning.
Match the following:
These are all related but have distinct nuances.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of 'set upon'.
A: Did you hear about the robbery? B: Yes, the victim was ___ ___ just outside his house.
The past participle of 'set' is 'set,' and the passive voice is required here.
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ビジュアル学習ツール
Set Upon vs. Jumped
練習問題バンク
4 問題The lone hiker was ___ ___ by a pack of hungry wolves.
'Set upon' is the correct phrase for a sudden attack by animals.
Choose the best option:
This correctly describes being swarmed by a group of people.
左の各項目を右のペアと一致させてください:
These are all related but have distinct nuances.
A: Did you hear about the robbery? B: Yes, the victim was ___ ___ just outside his house.
The past participle of 'set' is 'set,' and the passive voice is required here.
🎉 スコア： /4
よくある質問
10 問Mostly, yes, but 'set upon' implies a sudden, swarming, or unfair attack, often by a group.
No, 'set upon' always has a negative or aggressive connotation. You wouldn't use it for something happy.
Both are used, but 'set upon' is more formal and common in writing. 'Set on' is often used for commanding animals.
Yes, especially in news reports, literature, and formal descriptions of being crowded.
It is 'set upon.' The verb 'set' does not change in the past tense.
No, that would be 'I hit upon the idea' or 'I settled upon the idea.'
Yes, it is considered neutral to formal. In casual speech, people say 'jumped' or 'attacked.'
Yes, it is very common to describe a predator attacking prey as 'setting upon' it.
No, it can mean being overwhelmed by people, questions, or even emotions.
Yes, 'set on' is an alternative, but 'set' alone does not mean attack.
関連フレーズ
set on
similarTo incite an animal or person to attack.
fall upon
synonymTo attack or descend upon someone suddenly.
beset
similarTo be troubled or threatened on all sides.
gang up on
informal equivalentA group joining together to attack or criticize someone.
lay into
similarTo attack someone physically or verbally with great force.
