set priorities — choose importance
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to decide which things are the most important and should be done or dealt with first.
Say it like a native
Textbook One must determine the relative importance of competing tasks.
Native You need to set your priorities.
Natural; 'determine the relative importance of competing tasks' is consultant-speak.
Pattern: set priorities (for something)
In use
- When you have a lot to do, it's important to set priorities so you don't feel overwhelmed.daily life
- In my opinion, students should learn how to set priorities because it helps them manage their time better and reduces stress.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ She has to set her priority straight.
✓ She has to get her priorities straight. / set her priorities.
Usually plural 'priorities'; the idiom for sorting them out is 'get your priorities straight'.
Common collocations
set priorities— set your priorities, clear, get your priorities straight, right
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'set goals,' which means deciding what you want to achieve, not which things are most important.