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.”
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
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
mix up
Same up pattern: making
Combine ingredients into something new
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