set up
[verb]
Synonyms:
- build, assemble, construct, erect, put together, put up, raise
- establish, arrange, begin, found, initiate, institute, organize, prearrange, prepare

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Antonyms: tear down
Contrasted words: disassemble, take down
Related Words: generate, originate, start up, open

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English Thesaurus: establish, set up, open, found, inaugurate, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

set up phrasal verb (see also set)

1. COMPANY/ORGANIZATION ETC to start a company, organization, committee etc Synonym : establish
set something ↔ up
They want to set up their own import–export business.
new regulations for setting up political parties
set (yourself) up (as something) (=start your own business)
John decided to set up as a graphic designer.
set up shop/set up in business (=begin operating a business)
Now Betterware plans to set up shop elsewhere in Europe.

2. ARRANGE/ORGANIZE set something ↔ up to make the arrangements that are necessary for something to happen:
I’ll set up an appointment for you.
There was a lot of work involved in setting up the festival.

3. EQUIPMENT to prepare the equipment that will be needed for an activity so that it is ready to be used:
The next band was already setting up on the other stage.
set something ↔ up
Can someone set the overhead projector up?

4. BUILD/PUT UP set something ↔ up to place or build something somewhere, especially something that is not permanent:
They’ve set up roadblocks around the city.

5. TRICK SOMEBODY set somebody ↔ up informal to trick someone in order to achieve what you want, especially to make it appear that they have done something wrong or illegal:
Cox claimed that the police had tried to set him up.

6. PROVIDE MONEY set somebody ↔ up British English informal to provide someone with money that they need, especially in order to start a business:
After he qualified as a doctor, his mother set him up in a practice of his own.
Selling her share of the company has set her up for life.

7. HEALTHY/FULL OF ENERGY set somebody up British English to make you feel healthy and full of energy:
A good breakfast will set you up for the day.

8. set yourself up as something to deliberately make people believe that you have the authority and skill to do something, especially when this is not true:
politicians who set themselves up as moral authorities

9. PUT SOMEBODY IN POSITION set somebody up to put someone in a position in which they are able to do something, or in which something is likely to happen to them
set somebody up for
If he won the fight, it would set him up for a title shot.
Anyone with public duties sets themselves up for attack.

10. RELATIONSHIP set somebody ↔ up informal to arrange for two people to meet, because you think they might start a romantic relationship:
‘How did you meet Nick?’ ‘A friend set us up.’

11. set up home/house (also set up housekeeping American English) to get your own home, furniture etc, especially when you leave your parents’ home to live with a wife, husband, or partner:
Many parents try to help their children set up home.

12. set up a commotion/din/racket etc to start making a loud unpleasant noise:
The party guests were setting up a steady din. ⇒ set up camp at camp¹(1)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

ˈset-up , set‧up /ˈsetʌp/ noun

1. [countable usually singular] the way that something is organized or arranged:
the traditional classroom set-up

2. [countable usually singular] informal a dishonest plan that is intended to trick someone:
How do I know this isn’t a set-up?

3. [uncountable] the act of organizing something, such as a business or a computer system:
The IT department will assist you with installation and setup.

4. [countable] several pieces of equipment that work together in a system:
‘Do you use the school darkroom?’ ‘No, I’ve got my own setup at home.’
⇒ set up at set¹

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

establish to start a company or organization, especially one that exists for a long time:
The company was established in 1899.
He established a new research centre in Dublin.
Most of the money will be used to establish local industries and mobilize the work-force.
set up to start a new company or organization. Set up is less formal than establish, and is the usual phrase to use in everyday English:
Kate and her partner are setting up their own printing business.
Dad set up as a builder in 1990 and now he employs over twenty men.
open to start a business that provides services to the public, such as a shop, restaurant, or hotel:
He opened his first restaurant in 1995.
They just opened a new supermarket on Van Nuys Boulevard.
found to start a company or an organization such as a school or a hospital, especially by providing the money for it – used about something that was started a long time ago:
Who originally founded the college?
The bank was founded 60 years ago in Munich.
inaugurate /ɪˈnɔːɡjəreɪt, ɪˈnɔːɡjʊreɪt $ -ˈnɒː-/ formal to start an organization with an official ceremony:
Twenty years after the airport was inaugurated, it introduced its first transatlantic flights.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

prepare to make plans or arrangements for something that will happen in the future so that you will be ready when it happens:
He only had a few hours to prepare for the interview.
The family are preparing to move to Queensland.
get ready to prepare for something. Get ready is less formal than prepare and is the usual phrase to use in everyday English:
Smith has been busy getting ready for the race.
The army was getting ready to attack.
make preparations to prepare for an event that needs a lot of planning:
The couple are making preparations for their wedding next year.
gear up to prepare for an important event – used about companies, organizations, cities etc:
Stores are gearing up for the busy Christmas shopping period.
The city is gearing up for the Olympics.
get something ready to prepare something. Get something ready is less formal than prepare and is the usual phrase to use in everyday English:
They were getting the ship ready to sail.
set (something) up to prepare equipment so that it is ready to be used:
It will take a few minutes to set the camera up.
The band was setting up on the stage.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

set up
set (someone) up
to trick someone into a situation in which it appears they have done something wrong.
She denied using drugs and claimed she had been set up by the police.

set up (something)
1.
to establish or create something.
The welfare system is set up to encourage people to find work as soon as they can.

He set up his practice as an architect in New York City in the 1890s.

His father's money was used to set him up in business.

2.
to arrange or prepare something.
They set the meeting up for 9 a.m. tomorrow.

We have a little area set up for serving food.

They set up the tents next to the river.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

set up something
set up (something)
1.
to establish or create something.
The welfare system is set up to encourage people to find work as soon as they can.

He set up his practice as an architect in New York City in the 1890s.

His father's money was used to set him up in business.

2.
to arrange or prepare something.
They set the meeting up for 9 a.m. tomorrow.

We have a little area set up for serving food.

They set up the tents next to the river.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

set up
1. • set up (someone)
to put someone in a position to be manipulated
I do not believe that I lost the money honestly. I believe that someone set me up.

2. • set (someone) up (in business)
to help establish someone in business
My father helped to set my sister's husband up in business.

3. • set up (something)
1). to establish something, to provide the money for something
The newspaper company provided the money to set up the new travel magazine.

The company set up a situation to test the new product.

2). to make something ready to use by putting the parts together
After we set up the gas barbecue we were able to cook dinner.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

set up something
• set up (something)
1. to establish something, to provide the money for something
The newspaper company provided the money to set up the new travel magazine.

The company set up a situation to test the new product.

2. to make something ready to use by putting the parts together
After we set up the gas barbecue we were able to cook dinner.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲