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missdaredevil
Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 1670
Location: Ask me
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 Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:35 am Post subject: dead set |
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Why are you * dead set* against him?
Prejudice?
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iitimone7
Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Posts: 400
Location: Indiana, USA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:10 am Post subject: dead set |
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| absolutely not going to do something, under no circumstances |
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advoca
Joined: 09 Oct 2003
Posts: 422
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2005 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Why are you * dead set* against him? |
No, missdaredevil, it does not mean you are prejudiced.
The meaning of *dead set* in your example is to be completely opposed to him and his ideas. His parents are dead set against John's taking a year off from college.
Dead set is an interesting phrase and it has been in use since the 16th century. *Dead* in this sense means *utterly*.
The phrase *set against* is even older. It was used as far back as 1440.
There are several other uses for the phrase. For example, He made a dead set at her. This means he made a pointed or decided determination to bring matters to a crisis. The allusion is to a setter dog that has discovered game, and makes a dead set at it.
And you can make a dead set upon someone. This means that you attack him resolutely, to set upon him; the allusion being to dogs, bulls, etc., set on each other to fight.
You can also be at a dead set. This means that you are set fast, so as not to be able to move. The allusion is to machinery that has stopped. |
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