set to work

verb3

1. •
   To begin working.

   • As soon as he got home, he went to his desk and set to work.
   • Every day he sets to work at the new assignments.
2. •
   To begin working at.

   • As soon as I could, I set to work making the entries.
3. •
   To cause to begin working.

   • I will immediately set them to work.
   • I was setting the children to work cleaning their rooms.