set the table

set the table

English

Verb

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

woman setting the table

1. To arrange plates, etc. for a meal.

   Synonym: lay the table

   Antonym: clear the table

2. (figuratively) To make a future outcome possible.
   • 2009, Thomas G. Segrich, The $32M Sales System for Design & Build Home Remodelers and Kitchen & Bath Professionals‎:

     The next step is to 'Set the Table' for the sale by stating your agenda. This is both a method of directing the course of the meeting, as well as a trial close

   • 2008, B. A. Marbue Brown, The Clinton Economic Boom, page 107:

     In a very real sense, PC technology set the table for the prosperity of the nineties.

Translations

arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal

Azerbaijani: süfrə açmaq Catalan: parar (ca) Chinese: Mandarin: please add this translation if you can Finnish: kattaa pöytä French: mettre la table (fr), mettre le couvert, dresser la table, dresser le couvert Galician: pór a mesa, poñer a mesa German: den Tisch decken Hungarian: megterít (hu), (asztalt) terít Irish: leag an bord Italian: apparecchiare (it), apparecchiare la tavola Polish: nakryć do stołu Russian: накры́ть стол pf (nakrýtʹ stol) Spanish: poner la mesa (es) Swedish: duka (sv)

make a future outcome possible

Chinese: Mandarin: please add this translation if you can Finnish: pohjustaa (fi) Spanish: preparar el camino