set about in WordNet English dictionary

1. begin to deal with
   "approach a task"; "go about a difficult problem"; "approach a new project"
   set about  go about  approach 
   
2. enter upon an activity or enterprise
   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"
   get down  begin  get  start out  start  set about  set out  commence 
   

set about in English Wiktionary