| Verbes à particule |
WordReference English-French Dictionary © 2026:
| set [sb] straight vtr phrasal sep | figurative (correct, clarify [sth] for) | corriger⇒, reprendre⇒ vtr |
| | I used to think that NY was the capital of America until my friend Paul set me straight (and told me it was Washington) |
| | Avant, je pensais que New York était la capitale des États-Unis jusqu'à ce que mon ami Paul me corrige (et me dise que c'était Washington). |
| set to doing [sth] vtr phrasal insep | (start: doing) | commencer à faire [qch] loc v |
| | | se mettre à faire [qch] v pron + prép |
| Note: A hyphen is used when the term is a noun |
| | Lena did not have a dress for the prom, so she took out her sewing machine and set to making one. |
set [sb] up, set up [sb] vtr phrasal sep | informal (incriminate falsely) | monter un coup contre [qqn] loc v + prép |
| | | tendre un piège à loc v + prép |
| | He's really paranoid and always thinks people are trying to set him up. |
| | Il est vraiment parano et pense toujours que les gens montent des coups contre lui. |
set [sth] up, set up [sth] vtr phrasal sep | (arrange) | disposer⇒, placer⇒ vtr |
| | Helen set up the chairs in a semi-circle. |
| | Helen disposa (or: plaça) les chaises en demi-cercle. |
set [sth] up, set up [sth] vtr phrasal sep | (organize) | organiser⇒ vtr |
| | Can we set up a meeting for 8 November? |
| | Est-ce qu'on peut organiser une réunion le 8 novembre ? |
| set [sb] up vtr phrasal sep | (two people: get together) | présenter⇒ vtr |
| | | arranger leur rencontre loc v |
| | | jouer les entremetteurs loc v |
| | George and Lisa met when mutual friends set them up. |
| | George et Lisa se sont rencontrés quand des amis communs les ont présentés. |
| | George et Lisa se sont rencontrés quand des amis communs ont joué les entremetteurs. |
| set [sth] up vtr phrasal sep | (computing: configure) (Informatique) | configurer⇒ vtr |
| | The Tech Support engineer set up my new computer. |
| set upon [sth/sb] vtr phrasal insep | (attack) | attaquer⇒ vtr |
| | | s'en prendre à v pron + prép |
| | The gang set upon their victim without warning. The hounds set upon the fox. |
| | Le gang a attaqué sa victime sans prévenir. La meute a attaqué le renard. |
| set upon [sth] vtr phrasal insep | figurative (apply yourself to enthusiastically) (figuré, familier) | attaquer⇒ vtr |
| | Jose set upon his dinner as though he hadn't eaten in a week. |
| | Jose a attaqué le dîner comme s'il n'avait pas mangé depuis une semaine. |
Formes composées set | set on | seton |
WordReference English-French Dictionary © 2026:
| set phrase n | (language: fixed expression) | expression figée nf |
| | | expression toute faite nf |
| | Harry's explanation was nothing but set phrases. |
| set piece n | (film, book: scene or extract) (film, pièce de théâtre) | scène nf |
| | (livre) | extrait nm |
| | At the end of the film, there is a set piece involving a gun battle. |
| set piece n | ([sth] carried out according to plan) | opération montée nf |
| | The soccer players were trying out set pieces during their training session. |
| set point n | (tennis: point that will win a set) (Sports) | balle de set nf |
| | Her last backhand went into the net, so she only had one set point remaining. |
| | Son dernier revers a fini dans le filet et il ne lui reste donc plus qu'une balle de set. |
| set purpose n | (specific intention) | but précis nm |
| | Every lesson you plan to teach should have a set purpose. We're meeting today with no set purpose; we'll see what comes up. |
| | Chaque leçon que vous préparez doit avoir un but précis. Nous nous voyons aujourd'hui sans but précis, nous verrons ce qu'il en ressort. |
| set [sth] right v expr | (fix [sth] that is broken) | réparer⇒, arranger⇒ vtr |
| set [sth] right v expr | (straighten [sth] that is crooked) | redresser⇒ vtr |
| set [sth] right v expr | (make a situation fair, appropriate) | arranger⇒ vtr |
| set [sb] right v expr | (correct [sb]'s mistaken idea) | corriger⇒ vtr |
| set sail v expr | (boat, ship: start a journey) | prendre la mer loc v |
| | | appareiller⇒ vi |
| | The windjammer set sail for a tour around the Caribbean. |
| | Le long-courrier a pris la mer pour un voyage autour des Caraïbes. |
| set sail v expr | (start a journey by ship or boat) | partir en bateau loc v |
| set seed vtr + n | (plant: produce seeds) (plante) | monter en graine loc v |
| | The flower will set seed in late summer. |
| | La fleur va monter en graine à la fin de l'été. |
| set square n | (technical drawing tool) | équerre nf |
| set term n | (fixed period) | durée (définie) nf |
| | Board members are elected for a set term of two years. Home mortgage loans are payable over a set term, usually fifteen or thirty years. |
| | Les membres du conseil d'administration sont élus pour un mandat fixe d'une durée de deux ans. |
| set terms npl | (established conditions) | termes établis, termes fixés nmpl |
| | | clauses nfpl |
| set terms vtr + n | (establish conditions) | fixer des conditions loc v |
| | We weren't in a position to set terms so had to go along with what they decided. |
| | Nous n'étions pas en position de fixer des conditions alors nous avons dû suivre les décisions prises. |
| set the agenda v expr | (decide series of events or tasks) | établir l'ordre du jour, décider du programme loc v |
set the date, set a date v expr | (decide specific day) | fixer une date, fixer la date loc v |
| | The conference will be next year, but the organizers haven't yet set a date. |
| | La conférence aura lieu l'année prochaine, mais les organisateurs n'ont pas encore fixé la date. |
set the date for [sth], set a date for [sth], set the date of [sth] v expr | (schedule a day for) | fixer une date pour [qch], fixer la date de [qch] loc v + prép |
| | We have set the date for the next meeting: March 23rd. |
| | Nous avons fixé la date du prochain rendez-vous au 23 mars. |
| set the date v expr | informal (fix wedding day) | fixer la date du mariage loc v |
| | (figuré) | se marier⇒ v pron |
| | When are you and your girlfriend going to set the date? |
| | Quand est-ce que tu vas te marier avec ta petite amie ? |
| set the limit v expr | (establish a restriction or boundary) | fixer la limite loc v |
| | For the Secret Santa presents this year let's set the limit at $20 each. |
| | (limite supérieure) | fixer le plafond loc v |
| | (limite inférieure) | fixer le seuil loc v |
| set the mood v expr | (establish a certain tone or atmosphere) (figuré) | donner le ton vi |
| | Le président a donné le ton en début de séance en agressant les journalistes. |
| | | créer l'ambiance vi |
| set the pace v expr | (running, etc.: determine speed) | donner l'allure, donner le rythme loc v |
| | The lead runner set the pace for the 5K race. |
| | Le coureur de tête donna l'allure pour la course des 5 km. |
| set the pace v expr | figurative (set a precedent, example) (figuré) | donner le ton loc v |
| | I'm hoping this session will set the pace for our future meetings. |
| | J'espère que cette séance donnera le ton à nos prochaines rencontres. |
set the record straight, put the record straight v expr | (correct false account) | remettre les choses au clair, mettre les choses au clair loc v |
| | | remettre les pendules à l'heure loc v |
| | | rétablir la vérité loc v |
| set the scene v expr | (establish a certain setting) | planter le décor vi |
| | The opening shot of a graveyard in swirling fog set the scene for the horror film. |
| | | dresser le décor vi |
| set the stage v expr | figurative (make everything ready) (figuré) | préparer le terrain loc v |
| | Zack's conniving set the stage for Virginia's downfall. |
| | Les intrigues de Zack ont préparé le terrain à la chute de Virginia. |
set the standard for, set the standard in v expr | (do [sth] at an exemplary quality) | établir les normes de/pour [qch] loc v |
| | | fixer la norme pour [qch] loc v |
set the table, also UK: lay the table v expr | (lay place settings for a meal) | mettre la table, mettre le couvert loc v |
| | (plus soutenu) | dresser la table loc v |
| | My mother asked me to set the table whilst she cooked our dinner. |
| | Ma mère m'a demandé de mettre la table (or: mettre le couvert) pendant qu'elle préparait le dîner. |
| set the tone v expr | figurative (establish pattern) | donner le ton loc v |
| | My disastrous first day at school set the tone for the rest of the semester. |
| | Ma désastreuse première journée d'école a donné le ton pour le reste du semestre. |
| set the world on fire v expr | figurative (do spectacular things) | faire parler de soi loc v |
| | | révolutionner [qch] vtr |
| set theory n | (mathematics: theory of relations of sets) (Maths) | théorie des ensembles nf |
| set-to n | informal (brief, intense argument) (familier) | prise de bec nf |
| | (très familier) | engueulade nf |
| | (familier) | to have a set-to with sb : se prendre le bec avec [qqn], avoir une prise de bec avec loc v |
| | (très familier) | to have a set-to with sb : s'engueuler avec [qqn] loc v |
| | Esme had a set-to with a traffic warden who told her she was parked illegally. |
| set [sth] to music v expr | (provide music for [sth], as a poem, etc.) | mettre en musique loc v |
| set to work v expr | (start doing [sth]) | se mettre au travail v pron |
| | | s'atteler à sa tâche v pron |
| | He set to work as soon as he was given the new task. |
| | Il s'est mis au travail dès qu'on lui a confié la nouvelle tâche. |
| set [sb] to work v expr | (cause to start doing [sth]) | mettre au travail vtr |
| | The manager set the new employee to work filing invoices. |
| | Le directeur a mis le nouvel employé au travail en lui faisant classer les factures. |
set [sth] up, set up [sth] vtr + adv | (establish) | installer⇒ vtr |
| | They set the new store up on Maple Street. |
| | Ils ont installé le nouveau magasin sur Maple Street. |
set [sth] up, set up [sth] vtr + adv | (assemble) | monter⇒, assembler⇒ vtr |
| | I bought my son a swing set and had to set it up in the yard yesterday. |
| | J'ai acheté une balançoire à mon fils et j'ai dû la monter dans le jardin hier. |
set [sb] up with [sb], set up [sb] with [sb] v expr | (get [sb] together with [sb]) | présenter [qqn] à [qqn] vtr + prép |
| | (familier) | arranger un coup à [qqn] avec [qqn] loc v + prép |
| | (familier) | caser [qqn] avec [qqn] vtr + prép |
| | (familier, jeune) | brancher [qqn] avec [qqn] vtr + prép |
| | Ed's sister tried to set him up with one of her friends, but they didn't hit it off. |
| set [sb] up with [sth] v expr | mainly US, informal (pay for drinks) | payer à boire à [qqn] loc v |
| | (familier) | payer un coup à [qqn] loc v |
| | | offrir [qch] à [qqn] vtr + prép |
| | That generous woman set us all up with drinks last night. |
| | Cette femme généreuse nous a tous payé à boire hier soir. |
| set up camp v expr | (establish campsite) | monter le camp loc v |
| set up shop v expr | (open a business) | ouvrir un commerce loc v |
| | | s'établir⇒ v pron |
| | Linda's set up shop doing sewing repairs and dressmaking. |
set your heart against [sth], have your heart set against [sth] v expr | (be unalterably opposed to) | ne vouloir absolument pas loc v |
set your heart on [sth], have your heart set on [sth] v expr | (desire greatly, long for) | tenir absolument à [qch] v pron |
| | (changement de sujet) | tenir à cœur à [qqn] loc v |
| | | vouloir absolument [qch], vouloir [qch] à tout prix loc v |
| | She had set her heart on a trip to Japan. |
| | The little boy had his heart set on getting a puppy for Christmas. |
| | Elle tenait absolument à partir en voyage au Japon. // Le petit garçon tenait absolument à avoir un chiot pour Noël. |
| | Partir en voyage au Japon lui tenait à cœur. |
| | Le petit garçon voulait absolument avoir un chiot pour Noël. |
| set your house in order v expr | figurative (arrange affairs properly) | remettre de l'ordre dans ses affaires loc v |
| | You'll need to set your house in order before you embark on something so ambitious. |
| set your seal to [sth] v expr | (approve, authorize) | approuver⇒ vtr |
| set your sights on v expr | figurative (aim or intend to do [sth]) | jeter son dévolu sur loc v |
| | I've set my sights on a new flat panel TV for my birthday this year. |
| | J'ai jeté mon dévolu sur un écran plat pour mon anniversaire cette année. |
| set [sb]'s teeth on edge v expr | figurative (cause discomfort) (figuré) | faire grincer des dents à [qqn] loc v |
| set-aside n | (government: [sth] for a specific purpose) | réserve nf |
| set-aside n | (government: land for wildlife, etc.) | zone protégée, réserve naturelle nf |
| | | site protégé nm |
| set-aside n | US (government: reserved funds, production) | réserve, épargne nf |
| set-aside n | (government: reserved farmland) | jachère, terre en jachère nf |
| set-aside n | US (government: contract) | contrat nm |
| set-aside adj | (relating to a set-aside) | de réserve, d'épargne loc adj |
| | | de zone naturelle, de zone protégée, de site protégé loc adj |
| | | en jachère loc adj |
| set-top box n | (television signal converter) | décodeur numérique, décodeur nm |
sett, set n | (badger's lair) (d'un blaireau) | terrier nm |
setup, also UK: set-up n | (arrangement) | organisation, configuration nf |
| | You've got a great setup here for working from home. |
| | Tu as une super organisation ici pour travailler de chez toi. |
setup, also UK: set-up n | (gathered equipment) | matériel, équipement nf |
| | We left our setup on stage for tomorrow night's concert. |
| | Nous avons laissé notre matériel sur scène pour le concert de demain soir. |
setup, also UK: set-up n | informal (hoax, trap) (familier) | coup monté nm |
| | (familier) | traquenard nm |
| | They invited you there as a set-up to rob your house. |
| | Le fait qu'ils t'aient invité ici était un coup monté pour cambrioler ta maison. |
setup, also UK: set-up n | (computing: installation) | installation nf |
| | Double-click on the icon to start the setup. |
| | Double-cliquez sur l'icône pour démarrer l'installation. |
setup, also UK: set-up n | (art: arrangement of objects) | arrangement nm |
| | | disposition, installation nf |
| | I'm going to paint a simple still life set-up with a vase of flowers and a table cloth. |
| | Je vais peindre un arrangement simple de nature morte avec un vase de fleurs et une nappe. |
| shampoo and set n | (hairdresser: washing, curling) | shampooing et mise en plis nm |
| skill set n | (practical competences required) | compétences nfpl |
| smart set | (sophisticates) | beau monde nm |
| stage set n | (stage setting: scenery for a play) (Théâtre) | décor nm |
| tea set n | (set of teapot and cups) | service à thé nm |
| | This tea set comes complete with a teapot and four cups. |
| | C'est un service à thé complet avec sa théière et ses quatre tasses. |
| television set n | (appliance that receives tv signals) | téléviseur, poste de télévision nm |
| | | télévision nf |
| | (familier, courant) | télé nf |
| | I bought myself a new television set with a plasma screen yesterday. |
| | Je me suis acheté un nouveau téléviseur avec écran plasma hier. |
| | (technique, fiscal) | appareil récepteur de télévision nm |
| The truth shall set you free. expr | Biblical (knowledge is power) (Bible) | La vérité vous affranchira. expr |
| | "The truth shall set you free"; have you ever thought about what that statement means? |
thickset, thick-set adj | (stocky) | trapu adj |
| | | costaud adj |
| | Jake was thin in high school, but in his twenties he became thickset because he stopped exercising. |
| toilet set | (set of toiletries) | trousse de toilette nf |
| tool set n | (handheld instrument kit) | trousse à outils, boîte à outils nf |
| | The tool set includes a small wrench, a hammer, a saw, and three screwdrivers. |
| TV set n | informal, abbreviation (appliance: television set) | téléviseur, poste de télévision nm |
| | | télévision nf |
| | (familier, courant) | télé nf |
| | I had our old TV set replaced. |
| | J'ai fait remplacer notre vieille télé. |
twinset, twin set, twin-set n | (matching jumper and cardigan) (anglicisme) | twin set nm |
| | | pull et gilet assortis nmpl |
twinset, twin set, twin-set n | (matching set of two) | assortiment nm |
wide set, wide-set adj | (placed far apart) | écarté, éloigné adj |
| Note: A hyphen is used when the adjective precedes the noun. |
wireless, wireless set n | UK, dated (radio set) | poste de radio nm |
| | (abr, vieilli) | TSF nf inv |
| | The whole family gathered round the wireless to listen to the news. |
| | Audrey is going to buy a new wireless. |