set daʊn
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- set
- Particle:
- down
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "set down" mean?
- To put something down carefully
- To write something down officially
- To establish rules or principles
- To drop off passengers (British)
Examples
- She set down her cup of coffee carefully.
- The rules are set down in the company handbook.
- He set down his thoughts in a journal every night.
- The Constitution sets down the fundamental rights of citizens.
- The bus set down passengers at the terminal.
How to use it
Formal when referring to establishing rules or recording officially. More casual when simply placing something down. 'Set down in writing' emphasizes official recording.
Word order
Object can go between: 'set the bag down' or after: 'set down the bag'. For rules, usually 'are set down in'.
Similar expressions
place
write
record
establish
drop off
Opposites
pick up
lift
Related phrasal verbs
- set up
To establish or start something (business, organization, system)
- set off
To begin a journey
- set out
To start a journey or begin doing something
- set aside
To save or reserve something for a particular purpose
- set back
To delay the progress or development of something
- set in
To begin and seem likely to continue (usually something unpleasant)
Use it in a practice answer
Try "set down" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.