1 general:: Phrase(s): set someone about something to make someone begin doing something. • I set the boys about raking up the leaves. • She set herself about repairing the damaged machine., Phrase(s): set about doing something to begin to do something. • When are you going to set about fixing the roof ? • We will set about painting the house when the weather gets a little cooler.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2 general:: Begin, start, as in How do we set about solving this puzzle? [c. 1600]
American Heritage Idioms