set up

verb

1. set up or found (Freq. 17)

-

She set up a literacy program

• Syn: ↑establish, ↑found, ↑launch

• Ant: ↑abolish (for: ↑establish)

• Derivationally related forms: ↑foundation (for: ↑found), ↑founder (for: ↑found), ↑founding (for: ↑found), ↑establishment (for: ↑establish)

• Hypernyms: ↑open, ↑open up

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

2. create by putting components or members together (Freq. 10)

-

She pieced a quilt

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He tacked together some verses

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They set up a committee

• Syn: ↑assemble, ↑piece, ↑put together, ↑tack, ↑tack together

• Ant: ↑disassemble (for: ↑assemble)

• Derivationally related forms: ↑piece (for: ↑piece), ↑assemblage (for: ↑assemble)

• Hypernyms: ↑join, ↑bring together, ↑make, ↑create

• Hyponyms:

↑confect, ↑confection, ↑comfit, ↑jumble, ↑confuse, ↑mix up, ↑reassemble, ↑configure, ↑compound, ↑rig up

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

-

Something ——s somebody

-

Something ——s something

3. construct, build, or erect (Freq. 8)

-

Raise a barn

• Syn: ↑raise, ↑erect, ↑rear, ↑put up

• Ant: ↑level (for: ↑raise)

• Derivationally related forms: ↑erection (for: ↑erect), ↑erecting (for: ↑erect)

• Topics: ↑construction, ↑building

• Hypernyms: ↑construct, ↑build, ↑make

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

4. get ready for a particular purpose or event (Freq. 6)

-

set up an experiment

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set the table

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lay out the tools for the surgery

• Syn: ↑lay out, ↑set

• Derivationally related forms: ↑set (for: ↑set), ↑setting (for: ↑set)

• Hypernyms: ↑fix, ↑prepare, ↑ready, ↑gear up, ↑set

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

5. put into a proper or systematic order (Freq. 4)

-

arrange the books on the shelves in chronological order

• Syn: ↑arrange

• Ant: ↑disarrange (for: ↑arrange)

• Derivationally related forms: ↑arrangement (for: ↑arrange), ↑arranger (for: ↑arrange)

• Hypernyms: ↑put, ↑set, ↑place, ↑pose, ↑position, ↑lay

• Hyponyms:

↑regularize, ↑regularise, ↑order, ↑straighten, ↑rearrange, ↑serialize, ↑serialise, ↑alphabetize, ↑alphabetise, ↑organize, ↑organise, ↑coordinate, ↑stratify, ↑string, ↑thread, ↑draw, ↑marshal, ↑string out, ↑spread out, ↑preen, ↑plume, ↑stack, ↑chain, ↑pair, ↑geminate, ↑concord, ↑cascade, ↑settle, ↑pyramid, ↑corral, ↑catenate, ↑catenulate, ↑dress, ↑decorate, ↑range, ↑array, ↑lay out, ↑set out, ↑pack, ↑bundle, ↑wad, ↑compact, ↑pile, ↑heap, ↑stagger, ↑distribute, ↑drape, ↑set, ↑gradate, ↑line up

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

-

They set up the bags on the table

-

The men set up the bookshelves

6. begin, or enable someone else to begin, a venture by providing the means, logistics, etc. (Freq. 3)

-

set up an election

• Hypernyms: ↑organize, ↑organise, ↑prepare, ↑devise, ↑get up, ↑machinate

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

-

Something ——s something

7. take or catch as if in a snare or trap (Freq. 2)

-

I was set up!

-

The innocent man was framed by the police

• Syn: ↑ensnare, ↑entrap, ↑frame

• Derivationally related forms: ↑setup, ↑entrapment (for: ↑entrap)

• Hypernyms: ↑deceive, ↑lead on, ↑delude, ↑cozen

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s somebody

-

They want to set up the prisoners

8. produce (Freq. 2)

-

The scientists set up a shock wave

• Syn: ↑effect, ↑effectuate

• Derivationally related forms: ↑effect (for: ↑effectuate), ↑effectuation (for: ↑effectuate), ↑effective (for: ↑effect), ↑effect (for: ↑effect), ↑effecter (for: ↑effect)

• Hypernyms: ↑cause, ↑do, ↑make

• Hyponyms:

↑carry through, ↑accomplish, ↑execute, ↑carry out, ↑action, ↑fulfill, ↑fulfil, ↑draw, ↑get, ↑precipitate, ↑induce, ↑stimulate, ↑rush, ↑hasten, ↑serve

• Cause:

↑happen, ↑hap, ↑go on, ↑pass off, ↑occur, ↑pass, ↑fall out, ↑come about, ↑take place

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

-

Something ——s something

9. set up for use (Freq. 2)

-

install the washer and dryer

-

We put in a new sink

• Syn: ↑install, ↑instal, ↑put in

• Derivationally related forms: ↑instalment (for: ↑instal), ↑installing (for: ↑instal), ↑installment (for: ↑install), ↑installation (for: ↑install), ↑installing (for: ↑install)

• Hypernyms: ↑put, ↑set, ↑place, ↑pose, ↑position, ↑lay

• Hyponyms: ↑retrofit, ↑reinstall, ↑post, ↑put up

• Verb Frames:

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Somebody ——s something

-

Somebody ——s somebody

-

Somebody ——s somebody PP

-

Somebody ——s something PP

-

They want to set up the doors

10. place (Freq. 1)

-

Her manager had set her up at the Ritz

• Syn: ↑install, ↑instal, ↑establish

• Derivationally related forms: ↑installation (for: ↑install)

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

-

Somebody ——s somebody

11. make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

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Get the children ready for school!

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prepare for war

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I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill

• Syn: ↑fix, ↑prepare, ↑ready, ↑gear up, ↑set

• Derivationally related forms: ↑set (for: ↑set), ↑ready (for: ↑ready), ↑readying (for: ↑ready), ↑preparative (for: ↑prepare), ↑preparatory (for: ↑prepare), ↑preparation (for: ↑prepare)

• Hypernyms: ↑change, ↑alter, ↑modify

• Hyponyms:

↑socialize, ↑socialise, ↑provide, ↑cram, ↑precondition, ↑fix, ↑mount, ↑lay out, ↑set, ↑winterize, ↑winterise, ↑summerize, ↑summerise, ↑prime, ↑cultivate, ↑crop, ↑work, ↑brace, ↑poise

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

-

Somebody ——s somebody

-

Something ——s somebody

-

Something ——s something

-

Somebody ——s somebody PP

-

Somebody ——s something PP

-

Somebody ——s to INFINITIVE

-

Somebody ——s

(for: ↑gear up)

-

Somebody ——s

(for: ↑prepare)

12. erect and fasten

-

pitch a tent

• Syn: ↑pitch

• Hypernyms: ↑rear, ↑erect

• Hyponyms: ↑camp, ↑camp down

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

13. arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events

-

arrange my schedule

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set up one's life

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I put these memories with those of bygone times

• Syn: ↑arrange, ↑put, ↑order

• Derivationally related forms: ↑order (for: ↑order), ↑ordering (for: ↑order)

• Hypernyms: ↑organize, ↑organise

• Hyponyms: ↑synchronize, ↑synchronise, ↑contemporize, ↑contemporise, ↑phrase

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

14. arrange the outcome of by means of deceit

-

rig an election

• Syn: ↑rig

• Derivationally related forms: ↑rig (for: ↑rig)

• Hypernyms: ↑cheat, ↑chisel

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

15. equip with sails or masts

-

rig a ship

• Syn: ↑rig, ↑set

• Derivationally related forms: ↑rig (for: ↑rig), ↑rigger (for: ↑rig), ↑rigging (for: ↑rig)

• Hypernyms: ↑equip, ↑fit, ↑fit out, ↑outfit

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

* * *

set up [phrasal verb]

1 : to prepare for something by putting things where they need to be

We have one hour left to set up for the party.

We had better start setting up.

2 set up (something) or set (something) up

2 a : to create or establish (something) for a particular purpose

A panel needs to be set up to investigate the issue.

She hopes that in a few years she can set up a private practice of her own.

A foundation was set up for people with the disease.

The church set up a school for the city's homeless children.

The hikers set up camp [=they prepared an area where they could sleep outside] just before sunset.

2 b : to arrange and plan (an event or activity)

I'll ask my secretary to set up a meeting with our clients.

Let's set up a time to get together.

He was the one who set up the bank robbery.

2 c : to put (something) in an upright position

They set up flags along the street for the parade.

Help me set the tent up.

2 d : to make (a machine, system, etc.) ready to be used

They set up the movie camera next to the door.

This computer wasn't set up to run so many programs at one time.

3 set (someone) up or set up (someone)

3 a : to cause (someone) to be in a bad situation or to appear guilty

Those aren't his drugs. Someone must have set him up! [=framed him; made it look like the drugs were his]

He claimed he was set up by the police.

3 b Brit : to help (someone) feel healthy and full of energy

She says that daily exercise has set her up to face the challenges of getting old.

3 c : to give (someone) a job, a place to live, etc.

She set me up in a great apartment in the city.

He set his son up with a job at his company.

3 d : to do something that makes it likely or possible for (someone) to do, get, or experience something

The team's excellent defense set them up to score the winning touchdown.

— usually + for

I think you're just setting yourself up for a big disappointment. [=you're expecting something that won't happen and you will be disappointed when it doesn't]

3 e : to cause (someone) to meet someone in order to start a romantic relationship

“How did you first meet your husband?” “My best friend set us up.”

— often + with

She wants to set him up with her sister.

4 set (yourself) up as (something)

4 a : to try to make people believe that you are (something)

She has set herself up as the best alternative to the current administration.

He sets himself up as a defender of the people, but he's really only interested in getting more power.

4 b also set up as (something) or set up in (something) : to start your own business

She set (herself) up as a wedding planner. [=she began working as a wedding planner]

He set up in business after finishing college.

— see also ↑setup

• • •

Main Entry: ↑set