Meaning trap
set up
frame someone
to make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing by deliberately creating false evidence or circumstances.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing by deliberately creating false evidence or circumstances.
'set up' also has the more basic meaning 'arrange or establish'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
He claimed he was set up by his business rivals and had nothing to do with the fraud.
Some critics argue that the whistleblower was set up by powerful interests in order to discredit her testimony.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The gang set him for the robbery.
Say: The gang set him up for the robbery.
Don't drop 'up' — 'set someone UP' (frame them).
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Set up' is the everyday word for being framed; 'falsely incriminated through fabricated evidence' is legalese.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
set someone up
- for
- framed
- the whole thing
- deliberately
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- set up (arrange or establish) — 'set up' also has the more basic meaning 'arrange or establish'; this is the advanced sense.