set out phrasal verb ( see also ↑ set )
1 . to start a journey, especially a long journey
set out for
Kate set out for the house on the other side of the bay.
set out on a journey/drive/voyage etc
The band are setting out on a European tour in March.
2 . to start doing something or making plans to do something in order to achieve a particular result
set out to do something
salesmen who deliberately set out to defraud customers
set out with the idea/purpose/intention etc of doing something
They set out with the aim of becoming the number one team in the league.
3 . set something ↔ out to explain ideas, facts, or opinions in a clearly organized way, in writing or in a speech:
He set out the reasons for his decision in his report.
4 . set something ↔ out to put a group of things down and arrange them:
The market traders began setting out their displays.
5 . set out on something to start doing something, especially something new, difficult, or important:
My nephew is just setting out on a career in journalism.