To establish the context

You usually use this phrase at the very beginning of a conversation or presentation. It often follows a greeting. You can say, 'Before we dive into the data, let me establish the context.' It signals to your audience that you are about to give them the 'big picture.' Use it when you want to look organized and thoughtful. It prevents people from asking 'Wait, what are we talking about?' five minutes later.

This is a powerhouse phrase in professional settings. Use it during business meetings when introducing a new project. It is great for academic writing or giving a speech. You can even use it in serious personal discussions. If you are explaining a complex drama to a friend, say, 'Let me establish the context so you understand why I'm annoyed.' It makes you sound like a master storyteller.

Do not use this for very simple, everyday things. If you are asking someone to pass the salt, don't say 'Let me establish the context of my hunger.' That is just weird. Avoid it in fast-paced, high-energy social situations like a loud party. It is a 'slow down and listen' phrase. If you use it while someone is in a hurry, you might come across as a bit long-winded or overly formal.

In Western communication, especially in the US and UK, we value 'low-context' logic. This means we don't assume the listener knows everything. We like to be explicit. Establishing the context is a sign of a good communicator in these cultures. It shows you respect the listener's time by making the information easy to digest. It became a staple in corporate 'business-speak' during the late 20th century.

You might also hear people say set the stage or provide some background. In casual settings, someone might say give you the backstory. If you want to sound more academic, you could say frame the discussion. All of these share the same goal: making sure everyone is on the same page before moving forward. Just pick the one that fits the 'vibe' of the room.