set-up

set-up — 片語動詞

1. to start a company, organization, committee, system, or similar entity so that i

1.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

創立;設立

創建組織或系統

to start a company, organization, committee, system, or similar entity so that it begins to operate.

例句

Putri and her partner set up a small design studio in their garage.

Putri 和她的合夥人在他們的車庫裡創辦了一家小型設計工作室。

collocation: set up [company/studio/business]

The school set up a committee to look into ways of reducing waste.

學校設立了一個委員會來研究減少浪費的方法。

同義詞
  • establish

    more formal; 'set up' is more common in everyday speech

  • found

    formal; usually for institutions, universities, or charities

  • create

    broader; can be used for anything from systems to art

反義詞
  • dissolve

    formal; means to officially end a group or organization

  • close

    less formal; to shut down a business

文法句型

set + up + noun phrase

set + noun phrase + up

用法筆記

This is the most common sense of 'set up'. The object is typically an organization, system, or service — not a physical object (see senses 2 and 3 for physical items).

常見錯誤

We set up a tent a committee.
We set up a committee.' / 'We set up a tent.
💡don't use 'set up' for both an organization and a physical object in the same utterance without clarifying.

2. to build a structure by putting its parts together in the correct place.

2.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

搭建

組裝實體結構

to build a structure by putting its parts together in the correct place.

例句

Christopher spent the morning setting up a large tent in the garden.

Christopher 花了整個上午在花園裡搭起一個大帳篷。

collocation: set up [tent/shelter/structure]

The workers set up scaffolding around the front of the old library.

工人在舊圖書館前面搭起了鷹架。

同義詞
  • erect

    more formal; common in written instructions

  • assemble

    focuses on connecting parts rather than positioning

  • put up

    informal; interchangeable with 'set up' for tents and decorations

反義詞

文法句型

set + up + noun phrase

set + noun phrase + up

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 is about physical, tangible structures (tents, stages, scaffolding, stands). Sense 1 is about abstract entities (companies, committees, systems).

常見錯誤

❌ 'We set the tent up in ten minutes.' (This is actually correct.) No common error pattern for this sense beyond separating the phrasal verb correctly.

3. to get a device or machine ready so that you can start using it, by connecting c

3.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

設置;架設

安裝設備供使用

to get a device or machine ready so that you can start using it, by connecting cables, installing software, or adjusting settings.

例句

Amelia set up her new laptop and transferred all her files from the old one.

Amelia 架設好新的筆記型電腦,並從舊電腦轉移了所有檔案。

collocation: set up [device/equipment]

The technician set up the projector and tested the sound before the talk.

技術人員在演講前設置好投影機並測試了音效。

同義詞
  • install

    more formal; common for software and fixed equipment

  • configure

    technical; focuses on settings and adjustments

  • prepare

    broader; less specific to equipment

反義詞
  • unplug

    specific to devices connected to power

  • take down

    for dismantling equipment after use

文法句型

set + up + noun phrase

set + noun phrase + up

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 is about building physical structures from parts (tents, stages). Sense 3 is about preparing equipment for use — often involves connections, power, and settings rather than construction.

常見錯誤

I set up it yesterday.
I set it up yesterday.
💡with separable phrasal verbs, a pronoun object must go between 'set' and 'up'.

4. to begin operating your own company or commercial venture

4.片語動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

創業

開始經營自己的公司或事業

to begin operating your own company or commercial venture

例句

After years of working for others, Tamar decided to set up her own bakery.

Tamar 為別人工作了多年之後,決定創業開一家屬於自己的麵包店。

set up + own business / company / shop

Felipe and his cousin set up a small repair shop in the town market.

Felipe 和他表弟在鎮上的市集開了一間小型維修店。

同義詞
  • establish

    more formal; suitable for official documents and announcements

  • found

    formal; typically used for companies, institutions, or organisations

  • launch

    emphasises the public start of a new business or product

反義詞
  • close down

    to stop operating a business permanently

  • shut down

    informal; to close a business, often due to financial difficulty

文法句型

set up + business/company/shop

set up in business (intransitive)

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person or group who becomes the owner or operator. The object can be omitted in informal use: 'She set up in business as a consultant.'

常見錯誤

I set up the computer for work.
I set up a small café near the station.
💡for this sense, make sure the object is a business or commercial venture, not equipment.

5. to deliberately make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing, often by pl

5.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

陷害

設計使人承擔罪責

to deliberately make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing, often by planting false evidence or lying to the authorities.

例句

The police discovered someone had set Zayd up by putting stolen goods in his car.

警方後來發現有人把贓物放進 Zayd 的車裡來陷害他。

passive: had set somebody up for a crime

Noa felt her colleague set her up to take the blame for missing money.

Noa 很肯定她的同事陷害她來承擔遺失款項的責任。

同義詞
  • frame

    very close in meaning; 'frame' is slightly more informal

  • entrap

    formal, legal term; usually used for police sting operations

反義詞
  • clear

    to prove someone is not guilty

文法句型

set + somebody + up

set + somebody + up + for + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used in crime contexts and informal conversation. The noun form 'set-up' (hyphenated) also exists: 'It was a set-up!'

常見錯誤

They set a trap to up him set.
They set a trap to set him up.
💡'set up' is a separable phrasal verb; the object goes between 'set' and 'up'.

6. to plan and make all the necessary arrangements for a meeting, event, or appoint

6.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

安排

為會議或活動做好準備

to plan and make all the necessary arrangements for a meeting, event, or appointment to take place

例句

Layla set up an interview with the marketing director for next Tuesday morning.

Layla 安排了下週二早上與行銷總監的面試。

set up + appointment / interview / meeting

The school set up a meeting between the teachers and the parents to discuss the new rules.

學校安排了一場教師與家長的會議來討論新規定。

同義詞
  • arrange

    more general; can apply to any plan, not just formal events

  • organize

    focuses on coordinating details and people

  • schedule

    emphasises putting a specific time and date on the event

反義詞
  • cancel

    to decide that the planned event will not happen

文法句型

set up + object (meeting/appointment/interview)

用法筆記

Object is typically a meeting, appointment, interview, or similar planned event. This sense does not overlap with 'set up' for assembling equipment.

常見錯誤

I need to set up the new computer.
I need to set up a meeting with the team.
💡'set up' for arranging an event is different from 'set up' for installing equipment.

7. to give someone the money or resources they need to start a business, a project,

7.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

資助

提供資金或資源

to give someone the money or resources they need to start a business, a project, or a new stage of life.

例句

After university, Wren's uncle set her up with enough money to open a café.

大學畢業後,Wren 的叔叔資助了她足夠的錢去開一家咖啡館。

collocation: set somebody up with [resources]

The government programme sets up young farmers with free tools and land.

政府的這項計畫為年輕農民提供免費的工具和土地。

同義詞
  • finance

    more formal; used for projects rather than people

  • fund

    focuses on the money itself, not the act of giving it

文法句型

set + somebody + up

set + somebody + up + with + something

set + somebody + up + in + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used with 'in' or 'with' to specify what the person receives.

常見錯誤

The government set up him with money.
The government set him up with money.
💡with phrasal verbs, the object pronoun goes before the particle.

8. to make someone healthy, strong, or full of energy again, especially after an il

8.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

恢復;調養

使恢復健康或活力

to make someone healthy, strong, or full of energy again, especially after an illness or a period of tiredness.

例句

A week of rest and home-cooked food really set Élise up after the flu.

一星期的休息和家常菜讓 Élise 在流感後恢復得很好。

collocation: set somebody up after [illness]

The doctor said a daily walk in the fresh air would set her up nicely.

醫生說每天在戶外散步對她恢復健康很有幫助。

同義詞
  • revive

    more dramatic; brings someone back from exhaustion or unconsciousness

  • strengthen

    focuses on becoming physically stronger rather than recovering energy

文法句型

set + somebody + up

用法筆記

Common in British English, especially in the pattern "set somebody up for [a period of time]". Often used in the context of food, rest, or exercise restoring energy.

常見錯誤

The medicine set up me.
The medicine set me up.
💡object pronoun must go before 'up'.

9. to cause a particular process or series of events to begin, leading to further d

9.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

引發

導致某個過程或連鎖事件開始

to cause a particular process or series of events to begin, leading to further developments

例句

The new policy set up a chain of improvements across the entire factory.

這項新政策引發了整間工廠一連串的改進。

set up + chain / sequence / series [of events]

Reuben's careless comment set up an argument that lasted the whole evening.

Reuben 一句不經意的評論引發了一場持續整個晚上的爭論。

同義詞
  • trigger

    stronger emphasis on a sudden or forceful cause

  • initiate

    more formal, often used in official or technical contexts

  • spark

    suggests a quick, lively, or emotional beginning

反義詞
  • halt

    to stop a process from continuing

  • prevent

    to stop something from happening before it starts

文法句型

set up + noun phrase (a chain / a process / a series)

用法筆記

Often followed by 'a chain / series / sequence of' + noun to describe a cascade of events. The subject is usually an action or event, not a person.

常見錯誤

The CEO set up a meeting.
The CEO's resignation set up a chain of changes across the company.
💡this sense focuses on starting a process, not arranging a specific event.