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• set-up
  set-up
• set up
  set up

  verb

  (also intr) to put into a position of power, etc

set-up

American  

[set-uhp] / ˈsɛtˌʌp /

noun

1. Surveying.

   1. station.

   2. a surveying instrument precisely positioned for observations from a station.

   3. a gap between the end of a chain or tape being used for a measurement and the point toward which it is laid.

2. setting-up exercise.

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set up British  

verb

1. (also intr) to put into a position of power, etc

2. (also intr) to begin or enable (someone) to begin (a new venture), as by acquiring or providing means, equipment, etc

3. to build or construct

   to set up a shed

4. to raise, cause, or produce

   to set up a wail

5. to advance or propose

   to set up a theory

6. to restore the health of

   the sea air will set you up again

7. to establish (a record)

8. informal to cause (a person) to be blamed, accused, etc

9. informal

   1. to provide (drinks, etc) for

      set 'em up, Joe!

   2. to pay for the drinks of

      I'll set up the next round

10. printing another term for set 1

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noun

1. informal the way in which anything is organized or arranged

2. slang an event the result of which is prearranged

   it's a setup

3. a prepared arrangement of materials, machines, etc, for a job or undertaking

4. a station at which a surveying instrument, esp a theodolite, is set up

5. films the position of the camera, microphones, and performers at the beginning of a scene

adjective

1. physically well-built

set up Idioms  

1. Place in an upright position, as in I keep setting up this lamp but it won't stay up . [c. 1200]

2. Elevate, raise; also, put in a position of authority or power, as in They set him up as their leader . [Late 1300s]

3. Put oneself forward, claim to be, as in He set himself up as an authority on the banking system . [Mid-1800s]

4. Assemble, erect, make ready for use, as in They set up the sound system last night . [c. 1200]

5. Establish, found, as in They set up a new charity for the homeless . [Early 1400s]

6. Establish in business by providing capital or other backing, as in His father set her up in a new dental practice . [First half of 1500s]

7. Treat someone to drinks, pay for drinks, as in Please let us set you up tonight . [ Colloquial ; late 1800s]

8. Stimulate or exhilarate, as in That victory really set up our team . [c. 1600]

9. Lay plans for, as in I think they set up the kidnapping months ago . [First half of 1900s]

10. Prepare someone for a deception or trickery or joke, as in They set up their victim for the usual real estate scam , or Her friends set her up so that she was the only person in costume . [Mid-1900s]

11. Cause, bring about, as in The new taxes set up howls of protest . [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

set-up set up

Roza describes the set-up as "strange - there was no stylist" and the photos were never used.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026

Jordan Henderson has not been in the England set-up since the World Cup, where he fell over an advertising hoarding following England's win over Mexico in the Azteca Stadium and broke his arm.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

How much of that is down to driver ability, driving style etc and how much is down to car set-up and strategy.

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026

The team believe that the upgrade has more performance within it, but that they have not yet found the appropriate set-up to maximise it.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

"It became clear to me that this whole set-up of Nazism has to be fought," Dasch told Traynor.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Magoon, who lives in New York, started working with advisers at Merrill Lynch who helped him set up a DAF.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 15, 2026

She also said she asked her then husband to set up FaceTime in the corner of a room so she could watch their two young daughters play while she was in hospital.

From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2026

The new election date was announced on the day voter registration was due to start, with more than 3,100 centres set up across the country.

From Barron's ● Nov. 14, 2026

I got to bring out the Blue Lights Choir, which is the choir I set up back at home.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2026

A large furnace and bellows were set up at the far end of the room, complete with stacks of horseshoes and bits of iron.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

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Related Words

• arrange
• assemble
• begin
• build
• build up
• construct
• create
• erect
• establish
• found
• inaugurate
• initiate
• install
• institute
• introduce
• launch
• open
• organize
• prepare
• put up

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