1
general::
Phrase(s): set the stage for something
1. Lit. to arrange a stage for an act or scene of a production. • The stage crew set the stage for the first act. • They set the stage for the second scene while the orchestra played. 2. Fig. to prepare something for some activity. • The initial meeting set the stage for further negotiations. • Your negative comments set the stage for another big argument.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs