set the stage

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

set the stage (third-person singular simple present sets the stage, present participle setting the stage, simple past and past participle set the stage)

1. (idiomatic) To prepare; to establish the basis or required conditions.
   • 2016 May 22, Phil McNulty, “Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United”, in BBC‎^[1]:

     Pardew was a member of the Palace side that lost in a replay to United at Wembley in 1990 and was in charge of West Ham when they were hit by Steven Gerrard's famous late equaliser in Cardiff that set the stage for Liverpool to beat the Hammers on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

   • 2008 March 20, Kristina Dell, “A Voter's Guide to the Economy”, in Time:

     White House policies—on taxing and spending, trade and regulation—will set the stage for recovery.

2. To provide introductory context.
   • 2006 April 28, Steve Goldfarb, “Spilling out drops of wine at the Seder”, in soc.culture.jewish.moderated‎^[2] (Usenet):

     There is clearly more to the quote than what you've cited here. Otherwise, how would you be able to claim it has anything to do with Pesach in the first place? Obviously there's something that comes before what you've quoted, which sets the stage.

Usage notes

• Often followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with for.

Synonyms

• grease the wheels, pave the way

Related terms

• stage set

Translations

Translations

• Swedish: kratta manegen (sv)