set the table
The phrase "set the table" can be used both literally and figuratively, reflecting its versatility in everyday and metaphorical language.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
A2Household
(common)To arrange dishes, utensils, and other items on a table in preparation for a meal.
Example
- Please set the table before dinner.
B2General
(figurative)To create the conditions necessary for a future event to happen.
Example
- Her hard work set the table for her promotion.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "set the table":
table settingrun the tableset aboutset toat tableset byon the tabletable scrapcard tabledata tableset the stageset upgo setset onset shotset downtable matset forwardtea tabletraverse tableround tablelookup table