set up shop
To establish a business.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“They decided to set up shop in the city center.”
“After working from home for years, the designer finally saved enough money to set up shop in a small studio downtown.”
“The ambitious entrepreneur traveled across the country, looking for the perfect location to set up shop and launch his innovative new brand.”
- 01
all set
Ready, prepared, equipped.
- 02
big shop
A large, regular purchase of groceries; as opposed to ad hoc or impulse purchases.
- 03
bull in a china shop
A person who is clumsy, aggressive, without care, concern or self-control.
- 04
game, set, match
An expression indicating finality, announcing that a series of events—usually involving some form of rivalry—has reached a conclusion.
- 05
grow a set
Synonym of grow a pair.
- 06
hit the shops
To become available for purchase at retail locations.
- 07
jet set
A social class of wealthy people who travel for pleasure.
- 08
set a spell
To sit down for a period of time, especially in the company of other people and in order to relax or to engage in casual conversation.
Last updated August 10, 2026