15秒了解
- Encouraging someone or something to attack or challenge a target.
- Often used for lawyers, dogs, or assertive friends.
- Implies the speaker is directing the confrontation from behind the scenes.
意思
To 'set someone on' means to encourage or incite a person (or an animal) to attack, challenge, or pursue someone else. It is often used when one person makes another person do their 'dirty work' or confront a target.
关键例句
3 / 6Dealing with a scammer
If that guy calls again, I'm going to set my brother on him.
If that guy calls again, I'm going to encourage my brother to confront him.
Legal disputes
The company set their best lawyers on the small startup.
The company directed their best lawyers to attack the small startup.
A joke between friends
Don't make me set my cat on you; she's very fierce!
Don't make me encourage my cat to attack you.
文化背景
In the UK, 'set the dogs on someone' is a very strong image associated with the landed gentry and the protection of private estates. It can sound quite 'old-fashioned' or 'villainous.' In the US, the phrase is frequently used in political 'attack' ads and legal dramas. The term 'attack dog' is a common noun for a person who is 'set on' others. Globally, 'setting your followers on someone' is a major ethical issue in social media. It is often called 'brigading' or 'dogpiling.' Similar to the UK, but often used more colloquially in rural areas with 'working dogs' (kelpies or heelers).
Don't use for help
Never use this phrase if you want someone to help another person. It always implies a negative or aggressive action.
The 'Dog' Connection
Even when you aren't talking about dogs, the phrase 'set the hounds on' is a very common and idiomatic way to say you are sending a group to find or attack someone.
15秒了解
- Encouraging someone or something to attack or challenge a target.
- Often used for lawyers, dogs, or assertive friends.
- Implies the speaker is directing the confrontation from behind the scenes.
What It Means
Imagine you are holding a leash. You let it go and point at a target. That is the essence of set on. It means you are the mastermind. You are pushing someone else to be aggressive. It is not just about advice. It is about triggering an action. Usually, the action is a bit confrontational or intense.
How To Use It
You need three players for this phrase. You (the instigator), the person you influence, and the target. The grammar is simple: set [someone] on [someone]. You can use it for dogs too. "I'll set my dog on you!" sounds like a movie villain. In daily life, it is more about people. You might set your lawyer on a difficult landlord. Or set your mom on a telemarketer who won't stop calling.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to sound protective or slightly aggressive. It works great when describing office politics. Maybe your boss set the auditors on the accounting department. It also fits in funny, casual stories. If your friend is being annoying, you might set your chatty cousin on them to distract them. It implies you have some control over the person you are 'setting.'
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for gentle encouragement. If you want your friend to apply for a job, don't say you set them on the company. That sounds like they are going to burn the building down! Avoid it in very polite, formal settings. It carries a hint of 'releasing a beast.' If you are at a funeral or a wedding, keep this phrase in your pocket.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from hunting traditions. Hunters would set their hounds on the prey. It feels very visceral and old-school. In modern English, it has moved from the forest to the office and the playground. It reflects a culture that values assertive action. It also shows a bit of a mischievous side of the English language.
Common Variations
You might hear set upon instead. That is the passive version. If you are set upon by thieves, you are the victim. Set on is the active version where someone is directing the attack. Another variation is sic someone on. This is much more informal and common in American English. Both mean you are sending someone to handle a problem for you.
使用说明
This phrase is neutral but leans toward the informal. It is highly effective in storytelling to show who is controlling a situation. Be careful not to use it when you mean 'introduce' or 'recommend.'
Don't use for help
Never use this phrase if you want someone to help another person. It always implies a negative or aggressive action.
The 'Dog' Connection
Even when you aren't talking about dogs, the phrase 'set the hounds on' is a very common and idiomatic way to say you are sending a group to find or attack someone.
Sic 'em
In the US, you might hear people shout 'Sic 'em!' to a dog. This is the spoken command version of 'setting the dog on' someone.
例句
6If that guy calls again, I'm going to set my brother on him.
If that guy calls again, I'm going to encourage my brother to confront him.
Uses a family member as a 'threat' to stop a nuisance.
The company set their best lawyers on the small startup.
The company directed their best lawyers to attack the small startup.
Shows a professional but aggressive use of the phrase.
Don't make me set my cat on you; she's very fierce!
Don't make me encourage my cat to attack you.
Humorous because a cat is usually not a real threat.
I had to set my big sister on him to make him stop texting.
I had to get my big sister to confront him so he'd stop.
Informal way to say someone else handled a social problem.
She felt so threatened that she almost set the dogs on the intruder.
She felt so threatened she nearly let the dogs attack the intruder.
A literal use involving animals in a high-stakes moment.
The council set the inspectors on the restaurant after the complaint.
The council sent the inspectors to investigate the restaurant.
Implies a targeted investigation triggered by an authority.
自我测试
Fill in the blanks with the correct words to complete the phrase.
The angry neighbor threatened to set his ______ ______ us.
The correct pattern is 'set [attacker] on [target]'.
Which sentence uses 'set on' to mean 'incite to attack'?
Choose the correct sentence:
This sentence describes directing a group (lawyers) to challenge or attack a target.
Complete the dialogue using the correct form of 'set on'.
A: 'The paparazzi won't leave me alone!' B: 'Why don't you ______ ______ ______ ______ them?'
The structure 'set [security] on [them]' fits the context of directing an attack/challenge.
Match the instigator to the most likely 'attacker' they would set on someone.
Match the following:
These are the typical 'proxies' used in different contexts for this phrase.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
练习题库
4 练习The angry neighbor threatened to set his ______ ______ us.
The correct pattern is 'set [attacker] on [target]'.
Choose the correct sentence:
This sentence describes directing a group (lawyers) to challenge or attack a target.
A: 'The paparazzi won't leave me alone!' B: 'Why don't you ______ ______ ______ ______ them?'
The structure 'set [security] on [them]' fits the context of directing an attack/challenge.
Match the following:
These are the typical 'proxies' used in different contexts for this phrase.
🎉 得分： /4
常见问题
8 个问题No, 'set on' in this context is almost always negative or aggressive. Use 'assign to' or 'introduce to' for positive contexts.
Not exactly. 'Attack' is the action. 'Set on' is the command or the act of making someone else attack.
It is still 'set on.' For example: 'Yesterday, he set the dogs on the intruder.'
'Set on' is the standard idiom. 'Set onto' is occasionally used but sounds less natural in this specific context.
Yes, but it's usually used humorously because cats aren't typically seen as 'attack' animals like dogs.
It's a very dramatic, figurative way of saying you will use every possible resource to destroy or catch someone.
It's a bit aggressive. Instead of 'I will set my lawyers on you,' try 'I will refer this matter to our legal department.'
Usually, yes: the person who gives the command, the person/animal who attacks, and the victim.
相关表达
set upon
similarTo attack someone suddenly.
unleash
synonymTo release a powerful force or emotion.
egg on
similarTo encourage someone to do something (usually something foolish).
let loose
similarTo release something or someone.
