1
general::
Phrase(s): set someone up
to lead—by deception—a person to play a particular role in an event; to arrange an event—usually by deception—so that a specific person suffers the consequences for the event; to frame someone. (See also set someone up (as something).) • I had nothing to do with the robbery! I was just standing there. Somebody must have set me up! • John isn’t the one who started the fight. Somebody set up the poor guy., Phrase(s): set something up (with someone)
to make plans for something. • John is hard at work setting something up with Bill and Mary. • Sally and Tom set up a party for Saturday night., Phrase(s): set something up
1. Lit. to put something together; to erect something. • My parents bought me a dollhouse, but I had to set it up myself. • It took nearly an hour to set up the tent. 2. Fig. to establish or found something. • We set up a fund to buy food for the needy. • The business owners set a bank up in the small town., Phrase(s): set someone up (in business)
to help establish someone in business; to provide the money someone needs to start a business. • My father set my sisters up in business. • He helped set them up so he could keep the business in the family.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Place in an upright position, as in I keep setting up this lamp but it won't stay up. [c. 1200] 2. Elevate, raise; also, put in a position of authority or power, as in They set him up as their leader. [Late 1300s] 3. Put oneself forward, claim to be, as in He set himself up as an authority on the banking system. [Mid1800s] 4. Assemble, erect, make ready for use, as in They set up the sound system last night. [c. 1200] 5. Establish, found, as in They set up a new charity for the homeless. [Early 1400s] 6. Establish in business by providing capital or other backing, as in His father set her up in a new dental practice. [First half of 1500s] 7. Treat someone to drinks, pay for drinks, as in Please let us set you up tonight. [Colloquial; late 1800s] 8. Stimulate or exhilarate, as in That victory really set up our team. [c. 1600] 9. Lay plans for, as in I think they set up the kidnapping months ago. [First half of 1900s] 10. Prepare someone for a deception or trickery or joke, as in They set up their victim for the usual real estate scam, or Her friends set her up so that she was the only person in costume. [Mid-1900s] 11. Cause, bring about, as in The new taxes set up howls of protest. [Mid-1800s]
American Heritage Idioms