Dictionary

set the table en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Mid-Atlantic, US) audio

Meanings

1. (literally) To arrange plates, etc. for a meal.
2. (figuratively) To make a future outcome possible.
   • In a very real sense, PC technology set the table for the prosperity of the nineties. 2008, B. A. Marbue Brown, The Clinton Economic Boom, page 107:
   • 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 2009, Thomas G. Segrich, The $32M Sales System for Design & Build Home Remodelers and Kitchen & Bath Professionals:

Forms

Antonyms

clear the table

Synonyms

set the stage · pave the way · lay the table

Translations (32)

nl de tafel dekken (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · ga leag an bord (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · fr mettre la table (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · fr dresser le couvert (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · hu megterít (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · cmn 奠定基礎 /奠定基础 (make a future outcome possible) · sw tandika meza (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · hu (asztalt) terít (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · cmn 鋪路 /铺路 (make a future outcome possible) · nn dekkja bordet (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · sk prestrieť stôl (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · fi kattaa pöytä (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · gl pór a mesa (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · pl nakryć do stołu (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · pl kłaść podwaliny (make a future outcome possible) · pl położyć podwaliny (make a future outcome possible) · fi pohjustaa (make a future outcome possible) · fr mettre le couvert (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · de den Tisch decken (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · it apparecchiare la tavola (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · sv duka (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · es tender / vestir / preparar / poner la mesa (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · az süfrə açmaq (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · ru накры́ть стол (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · fr dresser la table (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · ca parar (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · cmn 擺桌子 /摆桌子 (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · lt padengti stalą (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · da dække bord (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · pl nakrywać do stołu (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · gl poñer a mesa (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal) · it apparecchiare (arrange plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal)