set up

phrasal verb
Word forms "set up":
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)

a) [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.

b) [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

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.

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.

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.

5) set up something

[transitive] to make something start to happen

Their negligence set up a chain reaction that resulted in extensive damage.

6) [transitive] British to prepare someone for something

set someone up for something:

Have something hot to set you up for the journey.

7) [transitive] informal to arrange a situation so that someone is blamed for doing something, especially something illegal

She claims she's innocent and someone set her up.

8) [transitive] to put someone in a position of power

set someone up as something:

a plan to set him up as party leader

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.

10) set up camp

a) to put a tent in an upright position, or to build a shelter somewhere

We set up camp for the night near the river.

b) 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.

11) set someone up for life to 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

12) set up house/home to begin living in a particular place or with a particular person

After graduation, we decided to set up house together.

13) set yourself up as something to claim to be something that you are not

He sets himself up as some kind of financial expert.