set up

phrasal verb · set-up noun · adjective

21 meanings of set up

1
phrasal verbtransitive
To put something together or in place so it is ready to use.
Dad set up the tent while we gathered wood.
Can you help me set up the new printer?
Similarprepare, assemble, install, arrange
Oppositedismantle, disassemble
Note
2
establishphrasal verbtransitive
To start a new business, group, or plan.
My aunt set up a small bakery in town.
The kids want to set up a club for people who love chess.
Similarestablish, found, start (entry), create, launch
Oppositedissolve, disband, close
3
lead tophrasal verbtransitive
To make something happen.
Tonight's win sets up a final against our old rivals.
Leaving the window open set up a cold draft through the whole house.
Similarcreate, cause, produce
4
get readyphrasal verbintransitive
To get things ready before something starts.
The band is still setting up, so the show will start late.
We need to set up before the guests arrive.
Similarprepare
5
noun · set-upBritish
Alternative form of setup. This spelling, with a hyphen, is used mostly in British English.
Our kitchen set-up makes cooking for six people easy.
The striker said the photos were a set-up to make him look bad.
Note
6
framephrasal verbcolloquialtransitive
To trick someone so that they get caught or blamed for something.
He says he was set up and never stole the money.
Someone set up my brother by hiding the phone in his bag.
Similarframe
Note
7
arrange a datephrasal verbtransitive
To plan a date for two people you think would like each other.
My friend wants to set up her cousin with my brother.
We got set up on a blind date last spring.
8
phrasal verbtransitive
To help someone start in a business or job.
After college, she was set up in her uncle's law office.
The town set up the new doctor in an office on Main Street.
Similarestablish, install
9
provide forphrasal verbtransitive
To give someone the money or help they need for something important.
Selling the farm left them set up for life.
The camp store can set up new campers with boots, a sleeping bag, and a map.
10
put in orderphrasal verbtransitive
To put things in a clear order that makes sense.
She set up her books by color on the new shelves.
Let's set up the files so the newest ones are on top.
Similararrange, organize, order, sort

11
fix (result)phrasal verbtransitive
To secretly fix how something will end, like a game or a vote.
Everyone knew the race was set up, because the slowest horse won.
They tried to set up the vote so their friend would win.
Similarrig, fix
12
ready to goadjective
Ready to work, with everything in place.
Once you're set up, the game only takes a minute to learn.
The new laptop is all set up and ready to go.
Similarready, prepared, settled
Oppositeunprepared
13
assist (sports)phrasal verbtransitive
In sports, to give a teammate a good chance to score.
Maya set up the winning goal with a perfect pass.
He likes setting up his teammates more than scoring himself.
Similarcreate
Note
14
hardenphrasal verbintransitive
To become firm or hard.
Put the gelatin in the fridge so it can set up.
This glue sets up in about ten minutes.
Similarset, thicken, firm, harden
15
start outphrasal verbdatedintransitive
To start a business or begin a new way of living.
After ten years working for others, he set up on his own.
She plans to set up as a baker in her hometown.
Note
16
make proudphrasal verbtransitive
To make someone feel proud, or too pleased with themselves.
One good grade set up my brother so much that he started showing off.
He was so set up by the praise that he bragged all week.
Note
17
boxing trickphrasal verbtransitive
In boxing, to trick the other fighter with one move so you can hit them with the next.
She set up her opponent with a jab, then threw a hard right.
He kept setting up the champion with fake punches to the body.
Note
18
claim to bephrasal verbintransitive
To say openly that you are something, often when it is not really true.
He sets up as an expert on cars, but he can't change a tire.
She likes to set up as the smartest person in the room.
Note
19
rise (water)phrasal verbintransitive
Of water, to rise higher at one end of a lake or bay because a strong wind keeps blowing.
After two days of wind, the water set up at the far end of the lake.
When the wind blows from the west, the water in the bay sets up and floods the dock.
Similarrise
20
scare birdsphrasal verbtransitive
To scare birds so that they fly up into the air.
Our dog ran through the tall grass and set up a flock of ducks.
Walking along the shore, we kept setting up little seabirds.
Similarflush, rouse
21
printingphrasal verbobsolete
To put the small metal letters in order before printing a page.
The printer set up each line of the poem by hand, one letter at a time.
Before the press could run, someone had to set up the type for every page.
Similarcompose
Note

Practice

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Origin

Deverbal from set up.