set up

phrasal verb

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	set up
he/she/it	sets up
present participle	setting up
past tense	set up
past participle	set up

1
intransitive/transitive to start something such as a business, organization, or institution
The group plans to set up an import business.
Rebels have set up an independent state within the country.
set up shop (=start a business):
After the war, she set up shop in a quiet Yorkshire town.
Synonyms and related words
Starting up in business
bootstrap
go into
set up
1. 1a
  transitive to make it possible for someone to start a business, organization, or institution
  set someone up in business:
  a privileged kid whose father set him up in business
  Synonyms and related words
  Starting up in business
  bootstrap
  go into
  set up
2
transitive to organize or plan something such as an event or system
I’ll set up a meeting for Thursday.
The programme will set up a regional library system.
Synonyms and related words
To organize an event
organize
prepare
plan
3
transitive to build a structure, or to put it in a particular place
Police have set up a mobile incident unit outside the shop.
set up a roadblock:
The army set up roadblocks to stop people trying to escape.
Synonyms and related words
To build something, or to be built
build
erect
put together
4
intransitive/transitive to make a piece of equipment ready for use
While the band is setting up, would you check on the food?
Will you be able to set up my PC?
The kids are setting up the volleyball net.
Synonyms and related words
To connect or disconnect a machine or piece of equipment
alarm
attach
automate
5
transitive (set up something) to make something start to happen
Their negligence set up a chain reaction that resulted in extensive damage.
Synonyms and related words
To make something start to exist or happen
bring about
trigger
form
6
transitive Britishto prepare someone for something
set someone up for something:
Have something hot to set you up for the journey.
Synonyms and related words
To make plans or arrangements
plan
arrange
organize
7
transitive informalto arrange a situation so that someone is blamed for doing something, especially something illegal
She claims she’s innocent and someone set her up.
Synonyms and related words
To accuse someone of a crime
accuse
allege
charge
8
transitive to put someone in a position of power
set someone up as something:
a plan to set him up as party leader
Synonyms and related words
To employ someone
employ
appoint
take on
9
to arrange for two people who you know to go out together because you think they might like each other
set someone up with someone:
I think we should set Ryan up with my cousin.
Synonyms and related words
To meet, or to introduce people
introduce
meet
come across
10
set up camp
1. 10a
  to put a tent in an upright position, or to build a shelter somewhere
  We set up camp for the night near the river.
  Synonyms and related words
  To build something, or to be built
  build
  erect
  put together
  Synonyms and related words
  Camping and caravanning
  bivouac
  bivouac
  break/strike camp
2. 10b
  to put your possessions or equipment in a particular place so that you can live, work, or spend a lot of time there
  She set up camp in the kitchen while they painted the bedroom.
  Synonyms and related words
  To live, stay or work in a particular place
  live
  arrive
  settle down
11
set someone up for lifeto provide someone with enough money so that they do not have to work for the rest of their life
a trust fund that set her up for life
Synonyms and related words
To spend or to pay money
disburse
spend
pay
12
set up house/hometo begin living in a particular place or with a particular person
After graduation, we decided to set up house together.
Synonyms and related words
To live, stay or work in a particular place
live
arrive
settle down
13
set yourself up as somethingto claim to be something that you are not
He sets himself up as some kind of financial expert.
Synonyms and related words
To pretend to do or feel something
pretend
fake
simulate