set out

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to begin a journey or start traveling towards a destination. It often carries a sense of adventure, planning, or embarking on a significant trip, especially early in the morning.

Examples

• We plan to set out at dawn to avoid the heavy traffic on the highway.

  We plan to set out at dawn to avoid the heavy traffic on the highway.

• They set out on their backpacking trip across Europe with just two small bags.

  They set out on their backpacking trip across Europe with just two small bags.

• The explorers set out to find the lost city deep in the jungle.

  The explorers set out to find the lost city deep in the jungle.

• Before you set out, make sure you check the weather forecast.

  Before you set out, make sure you check the weather forecast.

• After a quick breakfast, we set out on the final leg of our journey.

  After a quick breakfast, we set out on the final leg of our journey.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We set out our journey at 8 AM.

  ✓ We set out on our journey at 8 AM.

  When 'set out' is followed by a noun like 'journey' or 'trip', you must use the preposition 'on' or 'for'.

• ✗ They set out to the airport.

  ✓ They set out for the airport.

  Use 'set out for' to indicate the destination you are traveling towards.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We packed our bags and prepared to ___ early the next morning.

  💡 Begin our journey.

  Show answer

  set out

• They ___ on a three-week hike through the mountains.

  💡 Started their trip (past tense).

  Show answer

  set out