to organize or start something, such as a business, event, or system
They decided to set up a small café near the university.
A: How did you meet your business partner? B: We met at a conference and decided to set up a company together.
In my opinion, it takes a lot of planning and teamwork to set up a successful community project.
Common mistake
✗We set up a meeting to the new client.
✓We set up a meeting with the new client.
You set up a meeting WITH someone, not 'to' someone.
Tell it apart
She set up a small company.
establish
He set up the projector before the talk.
assemble / configure
Use 'set up' when talking about starting or organizing something new, not for leaving or beginning to travel.'Set up' is about starting or arranging something, while 'set off' means to begin a journey.
to get equipment or devices ready so they can be used
It took me an hour to set up the new printer.
A: Can you help me set up the projector for the meeting? B: Sure, just give me a minute.
Before the presentation, I had to set up all the equipment to make sure everything worked smoothly.
Common mistake
✗Let me set up it real quick.
✓Let me set it up real quick.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'set it up'.
Tell it apart
He set up the equipment for the demo.
got it ready
She set up a charity.
founded / established it
Use 'set up' when you are making something ready for use, like a computer or projector.'Set up' is about getting something ready, not fixing it if it's broken.
to make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing by deliberately creating false evidence or circumstances.
He claimed he was set up by his business rivals and had nothing to do with the fraud.
A: Did you hear about Mark? He got arrested for embezzlement. B: I know, but honestly, I think he was set up. It just doesn't add up.
Some critics argue that the whistleblower was set up by powerful interests in order to discredit her testimony.
Common mistake
✗The gang set him for the robbery.
✓The gang set him up for the robbery.
Don't drop 'up' — 'set someone UP' (frame them).
Tell it apart
They set him up for the crime.
framed him — he's innocent
They set up the company.
founded/started it
'Set up' meaning 'to frame someone' is used in both spoken and written English, often in legal, journalistic, or crime-related contexts. It carries a strong negative connotation, implying deliberate deception and injustice. Avoid using this sense in casual contexts where 'set up' simply means to arrange something.Unlike the B1 senses of 'set up' (to arrange or establish something, or to prepare equipment), this sense involves intentionally making someone appear guilty, usually of a crime, by manipulating evidence or circumstances.