Phrasal verb
set sth up
Definition
phrasal verb. to organize or prepare something so it is ready to be used.
phrasal verb. to arrange, establish, or assemble the necessary components for a system, organization, or piece of equipment to function.
Examples
“I need to set my new computer up.”
“The team arrived early at the park to set the equipment up for the charity race.”
“After securing the necessary permits, the entrepreneurs began to set up a local distribution network to reach underserved rural communities.”
Examples
simple
“I need to set my new computer up.”
contextual
“The team arrived early at the park to set the equipment up for the charity race.”
complex
“After securing the necessary permits, the entrepreneurs began to set up a local distribution network to reach underserved rural communities.”
Usage
commonly used for businesses, meetings, equipment, or digital accounts.
Teaching tip
this is a highly productive phrasal verb; contrast it with 'install' for software or 'establish' for companies to show its versatility in daily speech.
Pitfall
I will setup the meeting.
I will set up the meeting.
the verb is two words ('set up'); 'setup' as one word is a noun referring to the arrangement itself.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
set + object + up
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/set-sth-up