set up shop

Idioms and Phrases

Open a business, start a profession, as in Now that you've got your degree, where do you plan to set up shop? This idiom was first recorded about 1570.

Example Sentences

The cartels that have, for the last several years, been devouring Mexico from the inside out have set up shop in Central America.

From The Daily Beast

The camp has a market street where merchants set up shop and sell their goods, mostly small food items and sweets.

From The Daily Beast

Meantime, FEMA is deciding whether to set up shop on a neighborhood artery, Van Brunt Street, or in the IKEA parking lot.

From The Daily Beast

But Corado was impressed by Jose, who set up shop at the Four Seasons.

From The Daily Beast

In my neighborhood, soldiers set up shop in a daycare center.

From The Daily Beast

Found he had set up shop in a business structure called the Southern Building.

From Project Gutenberg

And I set up shop almost next door to the chapel, and took the trade out of his mouth, and enjoyed myself finely for six months.

From Project Gutenberg

A rough lout had set up shop there, with dressed poultry for sale.

From Project Gutenberg

The enclosed will help you to set up shop and to get and pay whatever is necessary.

From Project Gutenberg

When they had to run, they went instruments and tools in hand, and as soon as out of reach of the enemy set up shop on a stump.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• commence
• convene
• inaugurate
• initiate
• launch
• meet
• start