set someone up
/sɛt ˈsʌmwʌn ʌp/
Meaning
To arrange a romantic date or meeting for two people, usually because you think they would be a good match. This is typically done by mutual friends or family members.
Examples
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My coworker wants to set me up with her brother next weekend.
My coworker wants to set me up with her brother next weekend.
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They got married last year after our mutual friend set them up.
They got married last year after our mutual friend set them up.
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Please don't try to set me up; I'm perfectly happy being single.
Please don't try to set me up; I'm perfectly happy being single.
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Sarah and Mike are both single, so I'm planning to set them up.
Sarah and Mike are both single, so I'm planning to set them up.
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Who set you up? You two make such a wonderful couple!
Who set you up? You two make such a wonderful couple!
Common Mistakes
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✗ She set up me with her cousin.
✓ She set me up with her cousin.
When the object of the phrasal verb is a pronoun (like 'me', 'him', 'them'), it must go between 'set' and 'up'.
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✗ My friend set me up to a very nice guy.
✓ My friend set me up with a very nice guy.
The preposition used to introduce the person you are being paired with is always 'with', not 'to'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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I think you two would get along great. Can I ___ with my classmate?
💡 Arrange a romantic date for you.
Show answer
set you up
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They actually met because their parents ___.
💡 Past tense.
Show answer
set them up