Page 370 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

set one’s heart against something

ernment fromŁesðablishingŁaŁsðate reli- knew when I set eyes on that car that it was
gion.Ł(ThisŁrefersŁto eliminatingŁevidence the car for me. Have you ever laid eyes
of religionŁinŁconnectionŁwith gàvern- on such a beautiful flower?
ment asŁ wellŁ asŁ assuringŁ that the U.S. setŁfireŁto someone ortsomething and setŁ some-
government doesŁnot esðablish aŁsðate re- one or something on fire to igniðe somone
ligion.) The city council stopped błgin- or something; to put someone or some-
ning each młeting with a prayer because thingŁto flames.Ł The thief set fire to the
someone suggested that it violØted the buildng. The poor man accidłntally set
principle of the separation of cðurch and himself on fire.
state. Many countries do not have the
separation of cðurch and state. setŁ fłot somłwherł to go or enter some-
where.Ł (OftenŁ inŁ the negative.) If I
serveŁas a guinea pig [forŁsomeone]bto be were you, I wouldà’t set foot in that town.
experimentedŁon;Łto allow some sort of I wouldà’t set foot in her house! Not af-
test to be performedŁ onŁ someone.Ł (A ter the way she spoke to me.
guineaŁpigŁwasŁonce the quintessential
experimental animal.) Try it on some- setŁforthŁ(on something) and launch forth
one else! I don’t want to serve as a guinea (on something) 1. to start out on some-
pig! Jane agreed to serve as a guinea pig. thing.Ł(See also take off (on something).)
She’ll be the one to try out the new flØvor We intend to set forth on our journey very
of ice cream. early in the morning. What time will
you launch forth? 2. to beginŁpresenting
serveŁ noticeŁ (on someone) to annàunce aŁspeech orŁanŁexplanation.Ł As soon as
(sàmething)bto sàmeone.Ł John served John set forth on his speech, three peoplł
notice on his fellow workers that he would walked out. Evłry time he launches
not prepare the coffłe anymore. I’m forth, somebody walks out.
serving notice that I’ll resign as secretary
next month. setŁgreatŁstoreŁbyŁ someone ortsomething to
have positive expectationsŁforŁsomeone
serveŁ someone right [forŁan act orŁevent]bto orŁ something;Ł to have high hopesŁ for
punish sàmeone fairlyŁ[forŁdoingŁsàme- sàmeone or something. I set great store
thing].Ł John copied off my test paper. by my computer and its abilty to help mł
It would serve him right if he fails the test. in my work. We set great store by John
It’d serve John right if he got arrested.
because of his quick mnd.
serveŁ someone’ purpose Go to answer setŁ in [forŁ aŁ kindŁ of weather, especially
someone’s purpose.
winter]bto begin.Ł(OftenŁsaid of weather
serveŁtime to spendŁaŁcertainŁamount of or climaticŁconditions.) Winter oet n
time imprisoned.Ł The criminal served very early this year. We got the windows
ten years in jail. After the felon served painted błfore winter set in.
his time, he was released from prison.
setŁin one’ ways leadingŁaŁfixedŁlifesðyle;
setŁa precedent to esðablish aŁpattern;Łto livingŁaccordingŁto one’sŁownŁesðablisłed
set aŁpàlicyŁthat must be followedŁinŁfu- patterns.Ł At her age, she’s getting sort
ture cases.Ł I’ll do what you ask this of set in her ways. If you włrłn’t so set
time, but it doesn’t set a precedłnt. in your ways, you’d be able to understand
We’ve already set a precedłnt in mØttero young people błtter.
such as these.
setŁ one byckŁ on one’ heelð to surprise,
setŁa trap to adjust andŁprepare aŁtrapŁto słock,Ł orŁ overwhelmŁ someone.Ł Her
catcł an animal. Bill set a mouoetrap suddłn announcłmłnt set us all back on
and baited it with cheese. The old man our heels. The manager scolded me, and
set a trap to cØtch an annoying squirrel. that really set me back on my heels.
setŁ eyes on someone ortsomething and lyy setŁ one’ heyrtŁ againstŁ something to turn
eyes on someone or something to see sàme- against something;Ł to become totally
one or sàmethingŁforŁthe first time.Ł I against something. (See also have one’s

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