set up
Translate:(separable): make arrangements for something
Translation: establish; base
You"ll see Mr. Thomas tomorrow. I"ve set a meeting up for 9:30 AM.
set back
Translate:(separable): cause a delay in scheduling
Translation: hinder, delay
We"ve had some problems with the project that have set us back at least two days. We"ll give you a progress report tomorrow.
Translate:(separable): cost
Translation: cost, cost
I wonder how much Bill's new car set him back?
show up
Translate:(no object): arrive; appear
Translation: show, reveal
The boss was very upset when you didn't show up for the meeting. What happened?
Translate:(separable): do a noticeably better job (often unexpectedly) than someone else
Translation: show up, show up
Everyone thought Marsha would win, but Jean did. Actually, Jean really showed Marsha up.
slip up
Translate:(no object): make a mistake
Translation: to make a mistake
You slipped up here. The amount should be $135.28, not $132.58.
stand up
Translate:(separable): make a date but not keep it
Translation: let down
Angela was supposed to go to the dance with Fred, but she stood him up and went with Chuck instead.
stand out
Translate:(no object): be noticeably better than other similar people or things
Translation: stand out, be noticeable
Good job, Ann! Your work really stands out!
stand up
Translate:(no object): rise to a standing position
Translation: speak in (someone's) defense; meet boldly
When the Chairperson entered the room, everyone stood up.
synonyms found, constitute
Setting up greenhouseshas become his job – Constructiongreenhousesbecamehiswork
2) establish; found, open (enterprise)
synonyms found, originate, create, establish, produce
When was the university set up? - Whenopeneduniversity?
3) help (someone) get settled
Veryfewprivatecompanieshaveprogramstosetyoungspecialistfamiliesup – It’s rare that a private company has a program for raising the families of young professionals
4) prepare, plan
Such events need to be set up beforehand – SuchEventsnecessarypreparein advance
5) cause (something); to cause a pain)
Doctor,whatsetsupmyallergy? – Doctor, what causes my allergies?
6) colloquially to heal, to put (someone) on their feet
The med staff promised to set him up in a month – Medical Staffpromisedreturnhisperformancethroughmonth
7) raise (shout)
I can’t stand kids setting up a howl – NotI'm transferring, Whenchildrenare startingroar
8) impersonate (someone)
Shesetsherselfupbetterthanshereallyis – She pretends to be too proper a girl
9) sports to reach (heights), set (record)
The record set up 7 years ago is still unbeaten – Record7 year oldprescriptionAllmoreNotbeaten
10) train
The boxer hasn’t been set up for too long – BoxerNottrainedtoo muchfor a long time
11) colloquially to substitute, to let (someone) down
Somebastardhassetmeup – Some bastard set me up
12) adjust vernacular
The 2coachessettheirmatchup – Two coaches played a negotiated match
13) colloquially pour (drink)
Barman, set up a soda whiskey here – Bartender, carbonatedwhiskey!
14) American vernacular fight
What set me up was her beauty - Her beauty simply amazed me
Remember that the verb set is incorrect. All three of its forms (present and past tense forms, as well as the past participle) are the same in form and look like set. In company with various pretexts phrasal verb set can express the following actions:
- Set about
– take steps (in relation to something), start something, spread (a rumor), take on something; start a fight, hit.
I came back home and immediately set about cleaning the house. “I returned home and immediately began cleaning.
She setsabout she work vigorously. “She gets down to work with determination.”
We set about each other at once. “We immediately started fighting.”
- Set apart
/ aside
– allocate, put aside (money), save, set aside (for something), discard (feelings); separate (fighting); cancel, cancel, exclude, abolish, disregard; be different from the rest.
She will set the magazines apart for you. – She will put these magazines aside for you.
Yesterday I visited emergency station to have my arm stitched. One of the dogs bit me when I was trying to set them apart.“Yesterday I was at the emergency room, they were stitching up a wound on my arm. One of the dogs bit me when I tried to separate them.
The room in the hotel set apart for us was large and beautiful. – The hotel room allocated for us was spacious and beautiful.
Why did they set all our offers aside? – Why did they reject all our proposals?
The prisoner hopes that the Supreme Court will set aside his sentence. – The prisoner hopes that the Supreme Court will overturn his sentence.
This was the day set aside for his business trip. – His business trip was scheduled for this day.
- Set back
– push back, move (the clock hands back), turn (the wheel of history back), slow down, throw back, cause damage (to the financial situation); stop (movement), hinder; place in the depths (of something).
Tomorrow we'll have to set back the clock. Don't forget about it. – Tomorrow we will need to set the clock back an hour. Do not forget about it.
Is there a building set back from the road? – Is there a building here set back from the road?
Ambulatory medical care set him back a few pounds. – Outpatient treatment cost him a pretty penny.
The heavy traffic set us back about half an hour. – Due to heavy traffic, we were delayed for half an hour.
The opening of a new museum has been set back by a few weeks. – The opening of the new museum was postponed for several weeks.
- Set by
– put aside, save (money); respect, appreciate.
She regularly set by ten pounds a week. She regularly saved ten pounds a week.
My name was much set by in former days. “In the past, I was highly valued.
- Set down
- put, put, put; drop off at a bus stop; state, write down (somewhere); attribute to someone (something).
Would you mind me settingyoudown at your door? – Do you mind if I take you all the way home?
He setmedown for fifty. “He thought I was fifty years old.”
Don't forget tosetdown her name and address. – Don’t forget to write down her name and address.
All their claims are set down in this document. – All their demands are set out in this document.
Can you set down your bag? -Can you put your bag down?
- Set forth
- to expound, to publish; to go on a trip); lay out, exhibit (on display); explain, print (literary works).
The new books were set forth for all to see. – New books were put on public display.
An hour later my mother set forth. - An hour later, mom left.
My colleague has set forth her ideas. – My colleague outlined her ideas.
The President set forth his plans in a television talk. – The President outlined his plans in a television program.
This year we are going t o set forth on a journey. – This year we are going to go on a trip.
- Set in
– expose, sew in (sleeve, insert), step on, establish (about the time of year, weather), begin, rise (about rain, wind, storm).
A thaw has set in.- The thaw has begun.
Autumn is setting in. - Autumn is coming.
Disappointment seems to have set in among the team. – It seems that the team is overcome by disappointment.
This sewing machine will help you to set in a sleeve. – This sewing machine will help you sew on a sleeve.
- Set off
– launch, launch (a rocket), cause (protests), emphasize, win (look good); compensate, compensate, balance profits and losses; encourage someone to do something; go, go, go.
They had to set off a rocket. “They had to launch a rocket.”
Terrorists set off a bomb in the plane. – Terrorists detonated a bomb on the plane.
I bought a new dress set off with silver braid. – I bought a new dress, trimmed with silver braid.
There are two ways for you to set off this debt. – There are two ways in which you can compensate for this debt.
The dollar's decline has set off a wave of protests. – The fall of the dollar caused a wave of protests.
The story set us off smiling. – This story made us smile.
They set off in pursuit. “They set off in pursuit.”
What time are you setting off tomorrow afternoon? – What time are you leaving tomorrow afternoon?
- Set out
– located, put on display; set out, go, go, set off, fly out (by plane); to conceive, to intend.
We set out for Moscow. – We went to Moscow.
Lunch for five was set out in the small room. “Dinner for five was served in a small room.
He set out his reasons for the way he behaved there. - He outlined his reasons that prompted him to behave this way there.
He set out to write a history of civilization. “He intended to write the history of civilization.”
- Set to
- to take on something, to take on something energetically; to grip, to grasp; get into a fight; fight; to begin something, to intend to do something.
He wasn't set to enter the market. – He planned to enter the market.
I set myself to study English. – I began to study English persistently.
Why did they set to fighting? -Why did they start fighting?
- Set up
– set (record), organize (committee); establish, open, found (business); to portray someone, to unreasonably consider oneself to be someone, to provide; raise a cry, get back on your feet, recover from an illness; make claims, develop a theory; help someone get a job, etc. (even more meanings)
A monument was set up in her honour. “A monument was erected in her honor.
We set up a new record during the Olympic Games. – We set a new record at the Olympic Games.
They set up house together. – They began to live together.
My dream is to set up a shop of lady’s wear. – My dream is to open a women's clothing store.
Why did she set herself up to be a director? – Why is she pretending to be the director?
A holiday will set you up. – Rest will put you back on your feet.
My neighbor set up as a pharmacist. – My neighbor opened a pharmacy.
They set up a committee to discuss all urgent problems. “They organized a committee to discuss all pressing issues.
All new families should set up their own traditions. – All new families need to establish their own traditions.
I need someone to set up in the business. – I need someone to help me open my own business.
The portrait was set up on the stage. – The portrait was installed on the stage.
They have set up a charity organization for handicapped children. – They organized a charity to help disabled children.
Set up, set about, set down - in English there are many expressions with the word set. What do these up, about even mean? How is it translated and used? Let's find out!
12 meanings of phrasal verbs with set in English
Very often in English there is a mysterious combination: action + small word. Moreover, they are inseparable from each other and do not mean at all what they should mean separately. So, meet these phrasal verbs!
There are some tricks associated with phrasal verbs. Read more about their features in this article.
The word itself set has a number of meanings, the first of which is “to place in a specific place.”
However, phrasal verbs are known for the fact that their exact meaning is almost impossible to guess from the word itself.
Set here is no exception. Therefore, we will have to perceive all these set off, set aside and set back as separate words, each of which has its own characteristics.
Let's look at some common phrasal verbs c set.
1. Phrasal verb set about
Transcription and translation:/ [set ab'out] - start doing something, get started, take on.
Meaning of the word: Take up any type of activity
Use:
The action that comes after this word requires -ing after it! For example: We began (set about) to prepare (prepar ing) for the holiday. We need to start (set about) discuss (discuss ing) this problem.
Examples:
He set about repair ing the car himself.
He started fix the car yourself.
If you set about cook ing something on this old stove, please, be careful.
If will you take it? cook something on this old stove, please be careful.
2. Phrasal verb set apart from
Transcription and translation:/ [set ap'art from] - to distinguish, to separate from any community
Meaning of the word: To single out something from the crowd because this “something” is better or simply different. For example: His wide vocal range set him apart from other opera singers. Favorable deposit conditions distinguish our bank (set our bank apart from) from competitors.
Examples:
His experience set him apart from his colleagues.
His experience highlighted him among his colleagues.
What sets you apart from other candidates for this position?
What distinguishes you from other candidates for this vacancy?
3. Phrasal verb set aside
Transcription and translation:/ [set es`aid] - save money
Meaning of the word: Save and set aside money to buy something specific. For example: They started setting aside money to buy a car. He saves $100 (sets aside $100) every month.
Use:
After this word, you must use the word “money” or name a specific amount.
Examples:
I want to start setting aside money to buy a new bike.
I want to start save money to buy a new bike.
She set aside some money for that new jacket.
She postponed some money for that new jacket.
4. Phrasal verb set aside
Transcription and translation:/ [set es`aid] - move to the background
Meaning of the word: Discard, push something into the background, because there are more important things. For example: She put her career on the back burner when the baby was born. You need to set aside your fears and just do it.
Examples:
Let's set aside our personal feelings and concentrate on work.
Let's let's move it away on rear plan our personal experiences and focus on work.
We need to set aside our differences and try to reach a compromise!
We need move away on rear plan our differences and try to reach a compromise!
5. Phrasal verb set back
Transcription and translation:/ [set back] - delay, slow down
Meaning of the word: Slow down the rate of development of something for a certain period of time. For example: Difficulties in transporting building materials significantly slowed down (set back) the construction of a new bridge. Disagreements between members of parliament slowed down the adoption of reforms.
Use:
If we want to name a specific delay time, we use by: the weather slowed down (set back) our progress through the mountains for (by) several days. The new action plan will set back our project for (by) a month!
Examples:
The arguments among the superiors set back the project by several weeks.
Disputes among managers detained project for several weeks.
The accident at the lab set back our research significantly
A laboratory accident significantly slowed down our research.
6. Phrasal verb set off
Transcription and translation:/ [set of] - go, start a journey
Meaning of the word: Go somewhere. For example: We set off on a hike early in the morning. I want to set off tomorrow.
Use:
To clarify the place where we went, we use for: He went (set off) to (for) Edinburgh on Tuesday. We want to go (set off) to (for) Machu Picchu on our own.
If we specify not the place, but rather the name of the event (tour trip, business trip, etc.), then this will be on: The Prime Minister went (set off) on a business trip to Turkey. We went (set off) on (on) a long trip through the mountains.
Examples:
He set off for his country house yesterday.
He went to my country house yesterday.
We set off on a long journey to Australia.
We went on a long trip to Australia.
7. Phrasal verb set off
Transcription and translation:/ [set of] - start, activate the device
Meaning of the word: Activate some device: usually an explosive or some kind of automatic system: alarm, fire extinguishing system, etc. For example: Children set off firecrackers under the window. The burglar set off the alarm when he broke the window.
Examples:
Loud noises sometimes set off the alarm.
Loud noise sometimes leads V action alarm
The fire alarm was set off by somebody's cigarette.
The fire alarm was given V action someone's cigarette.
Let's find out some open space and set off the fireworks!
Let's find an open space and let's launch firework!
7. Phrasal verb set off
Transcription and translation:/ [set of] - trigger some events.
Meaning of the word: Become the cause of events, cause them, provoke them. For example: His speech yesterday caused (set off) a real scandal. Panic among shareholders caused a wave of stock sales to set off.
Examples:
When the millionaire appeared at the party without his wife, it set off a lot of rumors.
When a millionaire showed up at a party without his wife, it caused a huge number of rumors.
The new law has set off a wave of strikes all over the city.
New law called a wave of strikes throughout the city.
8. Phrasal verb set out
Transcription and translation:/ [set out] - get together, intend, take on some activity
Meaning of the word: Take on something with a specific purpose. For example: He set out to break the record of his predecessor. We finally finished what we set out to do a year ago and finished renovating the house!
Examples:
We set out to prove our theory.
We set out prove our theory.
Our company set out to become the best in this area.
our company got ready become the best in this field.
9. Phrasal verb set up
Transcription and translation:/ [set up] - install, build
Meaning of the word: Install any buildings or structures. For example: We set up a tent camp on the side of a mountain. A monument to the famous scientist was set up on the square.
Examples:
The police set up roadblocks on the bridge.
Police set up a roadblock on the bridge.
Mr. Smith set up a fence around his country house.
Mr. Smith installed a fence around his vacation home.
10. Phrasal verb set up
Transcription and translation:/ [set up] - install device
Meaning of the word: Install a device, mechanism or computer program and make it ready for use. For example: I installed a new alarm system yesterday. We need time to set up the equipment.
Examples:
We set up a stereo system in preparation for the party.
We installed stereo system, getting ready for the party.
One moment, I need to set up the camera.
moment I need install camera.
11. Phrasal verb set up
Transcription and translation:/ [set up] - organize an event or business
Meaning of the word: Prepare everything for the event, start a business. For example: We decided to organize (set up) a buffet in honor of the holiday. He set up a small corner store where he sells goods from his farm.
Examples:
Our club sets up meetings with famous writers.
Our club organizes meetings with famous writers.
You are going to need more money to set up your own business.
You need more money to organize Own business.
12. Phrasal verb set up
Transcription and translation:/ [set up] - substitute
Meaning of the word: Blame someone else for committing an unlawful act. For example: the arrested person tried to prove that his partner had set him up. What if this anonymous informer set up the police?
Use: Carefully, it's a colloquial word. However, it can be seen in newspapers, detective films and books, news reports and so on.
Examples:
This gun doesn't belong to me, I've been set up!
This gun is not mine, me framed!
He wasn't set up by his own business partners.
His framed own business partners.
Of course, this is not the entire list: new words of this kind appear constantly. However, his example clearly shows how diverse the world of phrasal verbs is. Moreover, they are very often used in colloquial speech - so be sure to pay attention to them when learning English.
Reinforcement task
Fill in the correct word in the blank. Leave your answers in the comments below the article.
1. Exceptional quality ___ our new product among similar ones!
2. Steve ___ finish the book no matter what.
3. To finish the project, Ann ___ everything else to do.
4. A new discovery by scientists ___ the wildest guesses.
5. If you want to go somewhere on vacation, start ___ money now.
6. I ___ on a business trip to Beijing tomorrow.
7. Someone was here! Otherwise, who ___ the alarm?
8. I can't ___ Windows on my computer!
9. In the summer at the dacha we usually ___ a hammock.
10. I ___ clean the room because I'm expecting guests.
11. We are planning ____ symposium in November.
12. The problem with the workers is very ___ our repairs.
13. I believe in your innocence, Harry! Someone must ___ you.
Separately, it is worth considering the phrasal verb set and learning the meanings in combination with prepositions. It belongs to the group of irregular verbs, while in the present and past tense, as well as in the Infinitive form, the spelling remains unchanged. To learn spoken English faster, you need to familiarize yourself with idioms that contain the verb to set.
Translation of a phrasal verb in combination with various prepositions
In its initial form, the verb set has several meanings: set, set, establish, grasp, launch. In a separate table we will consider the use of the phrasal verb set up .
Table 1.
| Set up (disambiguation) | Examples |
| Mean | She set out to write a chronology of this day. (She intended to write down the chronology of this day.) |
| Impersonate someone | He sets himself up better, than he really is.(He's trying to show himself to be better than he really is) |
| Put on your feet | He promised to set him up in a week. (He promised to get him back on his feet in a week.) |
| Plan, prepare | The report needs to be set up beforehand. (The report had to be prepared in advance.) |
| Establish, found | When was the institute set up? (When was this institute founded?) |
| Install, erect | Setting up hut has become his hobby. (Building huts became his hobby.) |
| To cause pain, to cause (illness) | Pollen sets up my allergy. (Flower pollen gives me allergies.) |
Phrasal verb Set with other prepositions and adverbs:
- Set out – intend to do, set out (in writing), set off (on a journey). She set out to write a chronology of this day. (She intended to write down the chronology of this day.)
- Set aside – reject, leave (time), postpone (decision)
- Set apart – set aside, divide. Albert will set the instruments apart for you. (Albert has put down his tools for you.)
- Set down - put, put down, create rules.
- Set off - explode (launch a rocket), set off (from a point), cause (protest).
- Set forth – to express (thoughts).
- Set forward – nominate (a candidacy).
- Set free - to release.
- Set back – carry over, bypass, delay, push back, move (clock hands).
To quickly remember the material, do the exercises or make up your own sentences based on the examples provided. Completing such tasks helps you quickly practice and remember the meanings of phrasal verbs.