I know the meaning of the phrase verb set up in this context. But what does set and up mean separately here? In other word, I want to figure out the inner logic of this phrase. It would be great to show me the corresponding explanations in a dictionary, thanks in advance.
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2Few such phrases can be taken apart to discover their inner logic. They are more likely just to come to pieces.– Ronald SoleFeb 17, 2022 at 11:24
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Are you sure you heard that correctly? The usual phrase would be "The spectators sent up a howl ..."– Peter JenningsFeb 17, 2022 at 11:36
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2@Peter Jennings This is an example sentence in my dictionary. You can find it in this web: 6. transitive verb produce loud sound: .... Another use case is in Animal Farm Chapter II: But at this moment the three cows, who had seemed uneasy for some time past, set up a loud lowing.– preachersFeb 17, 2022 at 11:42
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1@Kate Bunting Well, I know the meaning of the whole phrase. I want to know the meaning of set and up separately in this phrase, thanks.– preachersFeb 17, 2022 at 11:55
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4You just have to accept that it's a phrasal verb. I suppose the original meaning of build, put in place extended to mean start [something] going.– Kate BuntingFeb 17, 2022 at 11:57
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2 Answers
Set up X is an example of a phrasal verb.
The spectators SET UP a howl of protest
This is a not-too-common meaning of set up as described here: "begin making a loud sound."
Etymonline.com shows that the etymology of this word is all over the place - root words had meanings related to sit, meanings related to sect, and pertinent to this example: a meaning related to "cause/make to do".
Modern use of set is all over the place too.
As far as why up - while there's a logical connection between base and particle for many phrasal verbs, there isn't for all of them - e.g. what does the out in carry out--in the sense of "perform orders"--mean? Why is the word come used in the phrasal verb come apart, when come means subject and a target move closer together? Why does make up X mean to create a fake X?
Logic only takes you so far with English, there's numerous dead ends.
When up is used in a phrasal verb, it usually carries one of these basic meanings:
- completion (finish up, eat up, write up, wrap up);
- upward movement (pick up, lift up);
- upright position, maintaining or strengthening it (prop up, shore up);
- increase, improvement (pep up, jazz up)
In your sentence, it has a meaning of completion. They arranged it, and they started it.
answered Feb 17, 2022 at 11:41
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2Up phrases also have a tendency to lower the tone, as in shut and ....... No, better I leave it there. Feb 17, 2022 at 11:47
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@preachers I think "set" here means "arrange, prepare", and then "up" completes/starts it (what was prepared) Feb 17, 2022 at 12:10
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"Set up" in this context suggests starting rather than finishing. Although I guess you can finish starting something.– Stuart FMar 22, 2022 at 16:19