From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
set about
v 1: begin to deal with; "approach a task"; "go about a
difficult problem"; "approach a new project" [syn: set
about, go about, approach]
2: enter upon an activity or enterprise [syn: undertake, set
about, attempt]
3: take the first step or steps in carrying out an action; "We
began working at dawn"; "Who will start?"; "Get working as
soon as the sun rises!"; "The first tourists began to arrive
in Cambodia"; "He began early in the day"; "Let's get down to
work now" [syn: get down, begin, get, start out,
start, set about, set out, commence] [ant: end,
terminate]