set up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Establish or arrange
Why “up”? A new thing appears or is made.
“We set up a new account.”
“They set up chairs for the workshop.”
“IT helped me set up my email and security key.”
“Leo set up the projector before Maya began the office presentation.”
Memory hook
You stand the new thing up and get it ready to run.
Common mistake
They set up of a new branch.
They set up a new branch.
Set up takes the object directly — no of.
Natural collocations
The word partners “set up” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Set up means arrange or create something. Set off means start a journey.
Test yourself
“We set up a new account.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
set off
A contrast learners often mix up
Begin a journey
build up
Same up pattern: making
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
come up
Same up pattern: making
Arise as a topic or event; Create an idea or plan, or find an answer
conjure up
Same up pattern: making
Invent as if by magic
cook up
Same up pattern: making
Devise (often something dubious)
draw up
Same up pattern: making
Compose or formulate
dream up
Same up pattern: making
Invent imaginatively
make up
Same up pattern: making
Invent or fabricate
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