set upon
phrasal verbPart ofset
set upon — phrasal verb
1. to attack a person or animal in a sudden, violent way — slightly more formal tha
1.phrasal verb
Definition
to attack a person or animal in a sudden, violent way — slightly more formal than 'set on' and more common in writing.
Example
The travellers were set upon by bandits in the narrow mountain pass.
A flock of seagulls set upon the picnic the moment Salma turned away.