set in

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set in

The cold weather has set in for the season.

Definition
  1. Intransitive Phrasal Verb:
    • To begin and seem likely to continue or worsen: Used to describe the start of something, typically something unpleasant or persistent, like bad weather, a negative condition, or a period.
    • To become established: To take hold and become fixed or prevalent.
    • (Of a wind or current) To blow or flow toward the shore: A nautical term.
Usage and Examples
  • Describing the onset of weather or seasons:

    • The rain set in just as we started our picnic.
    • Once winter sets in, the days become very short and cold.
  • Describing the start of a negative condition, feeling, or period:

    • After the injury, a deep infection set in.
    • Boredom had set in during the long lecture.
    • Panic set in as the crowd realized the doors were locked.
  • Nautical usage:

    • The captain warned that a strong wind was setting in from the east.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
  • "Set in" vs. "Begin": "Set in" implies a gradual beginning that becomes established and often has a connotation of being unwelcome or difficult to stop. "Begin" is more neutral and general.

    • Compare: "The ceremony began at noon." (neutral) vs. "A period of decline set in." (negative, established state)
  • Common Collocations: Often used with nouns like: rot, decay, despair, routine, dusk, night, habit, pattern.

    • Without proper maintenance, rust will set in.
Variants and Related Words
  • Set (verb): To put, place, or fix in a specific position. This is the base verb.
  • Setting (noun): The context and environment in which something is situated; the time and place of a story.
  • Onset (noun): The beginning of something, especially something unpleasant. This is a close synonym in meaning but not in grammatical structure.
Synonyms
  • Take hold: To become established or fixed.
  • Begin: To start. (More general, less connotative)
  • Commence: To begin formally. (More formal)
  • Kick in: (Informal) To begin to take effect. ()
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Set off: To start a journey or to cause something to start (like an alarm).
    • We set off at dawn.
  • Set up: To establish, arrange, or build.
    • They set up a new business.
  • Set about: To begin doing something with effort or determination.
    • She set about cleaning the entire house.
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
  • "Before the rot sets in": Used to suggest taking action before a situation deteriorates.
    • We need to address these issues now, before the rot sets in.
  • "When darkness/night sets in": A common phrase describing the arrival of night.
    • We need to find shelter before darkness sets in.
set in

The cold weather has set in for the season.

Verb
  1. become established
    • winter has set in
  2. blow toward the shore
    • That gale could set in on us with the next high tide
  3. enter a particular state
    • Laziness set in
    • After a few moments, the effects of the drug kicked in