[set up] vt (13c) 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 "set up a printing press" c: to put (a machine) in readiness or adjustment for a tooling 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 "set up a home for orphans"
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 esp. 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 usu. by trickery or deceit b: frame 3 14: to execute one or more plays in preparation for scoring ~ vi 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: harden -- set up housekeeping : to establish one's living quarters -- set up shop : to establish one's business