Phrases & Expressions

To do something that creates a rule or example for others to follow in the future.

• This ruling sets a precedent for future cases.
• The company's policy sets a precedent for employee benefits.

To start something new that other people will follow.

• The actress set a trend with her new hairstyle.
• Their design set a trend in office furniture.

To give someone the correct information or explain the truth about a situation.

• Let me set you straight about what happened.
• She set me straight about the time of the meeting.

To do something extremely well or achieve great success.

• He's a talented musician, but I don't think he'll set the world on fire.
• She's very smart and could set the world on fire if she tried.

To stay inside a building or place for safety during an emergency.

• Residents were told to shelter in place.
• The warning advised everyone to shelter in place.

To stop an audible warning sound in an aircraft.

• Silence the warning after checking the system.
• The crew learned to silence the warning quickly.

A course of action that seems small but will lead to a disastrous result.

• Skipping one workout can be a slippery slope to quitting completely.
• Once you start borrowing money, you are on a slippery slope.

Very clever and cunning, often in a dishonest way.

• He's sly as a fox when making deals.
• Don't trust him; he's sly as a fox.

To stop feeling unhappy, angry, or ill and return to normal.

• Come on, snap out of it and let's go for a walk.
• He snapped out of his bad mood.

Used to say that you accept a situation, even if you do not like it.

• If you must leave, so be it.
• So be it — I'll do it alone.