dead set

plural dead sets · alternative dead-set

1. hobbiesThe rigid pose a hunting dog assumes when pointing out game to a hunter.

   The judge at the dog show took points off the Irish setter's dead set because its right ear twitched a few times.

2. A fixed or stationary condition arising from obstacle or hindrance; a deadlock.

   to be at a dead set

3. broadlyfigurativelyA determined effort.

   I might not graduate first in my class, but I'll make a dead set at it.

4. A pointed and persistent attack on a person.

   The result was that everyone made a dead set on Collins. It was the same in conversation. When he put his head in everyone turned on him. He was roared down unmercifully, with the inevitable result that he lost his temper.

   2018, Frank O'Connor, The Big Fellow: Michael Collins and the Irish Revolution

comparative more dead set · superlative most dead set · alternative dead-set

1. Unswervingly dedicated; resolutely determined.

   If John is dead set on marrying Catherine, his parents' objection will only provoke a falling out.

   3 more examples

   The governor is dead set against the concealed weapons permit legislation and will veto it even if it costs her the re-election.

   There are people here who are dead set on convincing everybody this hurricane is the result of climate change.

   2018 September 11, Rush Limbaugh, “Hurricane Florence Heads for the Carolinas”, in The Rush Limbaugh Show (radio), archived from the original on 17 Apr 2019

   On Monday, he tasked his third prime minister in 12 months, Sébastien Lecornu, to try again to find common ground between political parties dead set against doing so.

   2025 October 11, Sylvie Kaufmann, “How domestic deadlock brought Macron back to earth”, in FT Weekend, London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 9

   Synonyms: hell-bent

2. AustraliacolloquialComplete and utter; total.

   He is a dead set fool.