Main Entry: set up

Function: verb

Date: 13th century

transitive verb

1 a : to raise to and place in a high position b : to place in view : post c : to put forward (as a plan) for acceptance
2 a : to place upright : erect <set up a statue> b : to assemble the parts of and erect in position c : to put (a machine) in readiness or adjustment for an operation
3 a : cause, create <set up a clamor> b : bring about
4 : to place in power or in office <set up the general as dictator>
5 a : to raise from depression : elate, gratify b : to make proud or vain
6 a : to put forward or extol as a model b : to claim oneself to be <sets himself up as an authority>
7 : found, inaugurate
8 a : to provide with means of making a living <set him up in business> b : to bring or restore to normal health c : to cause (one) to take on a soldierly or athletic appearance especially through drill
9 : to erect (a perpendicular or a figure) on a base in a drawing
10 a : to make taut (a stay or hawser) b : to tighten firmly
11 : to make carefully worked out plans for <set up a bank robbery>
12 a : to pay for (drinks) b : to treat (someone) to something
13 a : to put in a compromising or dangerous position usually by trickery or deceit b : frame 3
14 : to execute one or more plays in preparation for scoringintransitive verb 1 : to come into active operation or use
2 : to begin business
3 : to make pretensions <has never set up to be a wise man — Thomas Rogers>
4 : to become firm or consolidated

— set up housekeeping : to establish one's living quarters

— set up shop : to establish one's business