To set the stage
Presentation and public speaking expression
Literalmente: To arrange the physical platform for a theatrical performance.
Use it to describe preparing the environment or providing context before a major event or idea.
Em 15 segundos
- Prepare the background or environment for a future event.
- Provide context so people understand the main point.
- Create the right conditions for a specific outcome.
Significado
To prepare the conditions or provide the necessary background information so that something else can happen successfully or be understood.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Preparing for a romantic dinner
I lit some candles to set the stage for our anniversary dinner.
I used candles to create the right atmosphere for our special meal.
Starting a business presentation
First, let me set the stage by reviewing last year's sales figures.
Let me provide the background information by looking at previous sales.
Texting a friend about a story
Wait, let me set the stage before I tell you what happened at the party!
Hold on, I need to give you the background before the main story!
Contexto cultural
Originating from the theatrical traditions of the Renaissance, this phrase reflects the Western cultural view of life as a series of performances. It became a popular idiomatic expression in the 18th century as public speaking and formal presentations became more common in business and law.
Use it in Interviews
When asked a difficult question, say 'Let me set the stage first.' It gives you a few seconds to think while sounding professional!
Avoid 'Make the Stage'
Many people try to say 'make' or 'prepare' the stage. Stick to `set`—it is the only verb that sounds natural in this idiom.
Em 15 segundos
- Prepare the background or environment for a future event.
- Provide context so people understand the main point.
- Create the right conditions for a specific outcome.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a theater. Before the actors arrive, the crew must work hard. They move furniture and check the lights. They make sure the curtains work. This process is called setting the stage. In daily life, it means doing the prep work. You are creating the right environment for an event. It also means giving context. You explain the 'why' and 'how' before the main point. It ensures your audience is ready for what comes next.
How To Use It
You will usually use this phrase with the word for. For example, you might say, "This meeting will set the stage for our project." It functions as a verb phrase. You can change the tense easily. However, remember that the past tense of set is still set. You can use it to describe physical preparation. You can also use it for emotional or intellectual preparation. It is a very flexible tool for your vocabulary. It helps you sound organized and forward-thinking.
When To Use It
This is a perfect phrase for the start of a presentation. Use it when you are about to share big news. It works well when telling a long story to friends. You can use it in business to describe market conditions. If you are planning a surprise party, you are setting the stage. It is ideal for any situation where the background matters. Use it when you want to build anticipation. It tells people that something important is coming soon.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for very small or instant actions. If you are just opening a window, you aren't setting the stage. It implies a process or a sequence of events. Also, avoid using it if there is no "main event." If you are just chatting about nothing, it might sound too dramatic. Don't use it if you are finishing something. This phrase is strictly for the beginning or the middle of a process. It is about the future, not the past.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes directly from the world of drama and theater. In the 16th and 17th centuries, theater was the heart of culture. People like Shakespeare used the stage as a metaphor for life. They believed that the world is a stage and we are all actors. Over time, the technical work of stagehands became a metaphor for preparation. It moved from the theater into politics and business in the 1800s. Today, it is a staple of professional English worldwide.
Common Variations
You might hear people say set the scene. This is very similar but usually refers to visual descriptions. Another variation is lay the groundwork. This feels more like construction or building a house. You might also hear pave the way. This implies making a path easier for someone else to follow. While they are similar, set the stage is the most visual. It feels like a performance is about to begin. It adds a touch of excitement to your speech.
Notas de uso
This phrase is highly versatile and fits in both formal and informal registers. Just be careful not to over-dramatize very simple tasks, as it implies a significant preparation for a main event.
Use it in Interviews
When asked a difficult question, say 'Let me set the stage first.' It gives you a few seconds to think while sounding professional!
Avoid 'Make the Stage'
Many people try to say 'make' or 'prepare' the stage. Stick to `set`—it is the only verb that sounds natural in this idiom.
Theatrical Cousins
English is full of theater metaphors! If you like this, try learning `break a leg` or `it's a wrap` next.
Exemplos
6I lit some candles to set the stage for our anniversary dinner.
I used candles to create the right atmosphere for our special meal.
Here, it refers to creating a physical mood or environment.
First, let me set the stage by reviewing last year's sales figures.
Let me provide the background information by looking at previous sales.
Commonly used in professional settings to provide context before a main point.
Wait, let me set the stage before I tell you what happened at the party!
Hold on, I need to give you the background before the main story!
Used to build anticipation and ensure the listener understands the context.
He put on a cape and dimmed the lights just to set the stage for his magic trick.
He used a costume and lighting to prepare for his small performance.
Shows how the phrase can be used for funny, over-the-top preparation.
The economic crisis set the stage for major political changes.
The bad economy created the conditions that led to new laws.
Used to describe how one event makes another event possible or likely.
She spoke softly to set the stage for the bad news she had to share.
She used a gentle tone to prepare him for the difficult information.
Used when the 'preparation' is about emotional tone rather than facts.
Teste-se
Choose the correct word to complete the phrase.
The warm-up act really ___ the stage for the main band.
The standard idiom is 'set the stage'. 'Made' or 'took' are not used in this expression.
Complete the sentence to show preparation.
We need to ___ the stage for a successful product launch next month.
Even in professional contexts, 'set the stage' is the correct verb-noun combination.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality Spectrum
Telling a funny story to a friend.
Let me set the stage...
Planning a group trip or event.
This sets the stage for our vacation.
A CEO delivering a keynote speech.
These reforms set the stage for growth.
When to Set the Stage
Public Speaking
Opening a speech with a story.
Storytelling
Describing the setting of a mystery.
Project Management
Doing research before starting work.
Relationships
Creating a mood for a proposal.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt means to prepare the environment or provide background information so that a future event can happen successfully. For example, The intro set the stage for the rest of the book.
No, it is used in almost every context now, especially in business, politics, and storytelling. It is a metaphorical way of saying 'prepare'.
Yes, it is very common in professional writing. You might write, This data will set the stage for our discussion tomorrow.
It is slightly more descriptive and idiomatic than 'prepare.' It suggests a sequence of events rather than just a single action.
The past tense is also set the stage. For example: Yesterday, we set the stage for the new project.
Yes! You can say, The dark clouds set the stage for a terrible storm. It just means creating the conditions, good or bad.
They are very close. Set the scene is usually used for visual descriptions in stories, while set the stage is used for preparation and conditions.
Public speakers, journalists, and managers use it frequently to provide context to their audiences.
Yes, in a theater, the crew literally sets the stage by moving props and scenery before a play starts.
The most common mistake is using the wrong verb, like saying prepare the stage or put the stage. Always use set.
Frases relacionadas
Lay the groundwork
To do the basic work that will allow something to happen later.
Pave the way
To make it easier for something to happen or for someone to do something.
Set the scene
To describe a place or situation so that people can imagine it.
Prime the pump
To do something to encourage the success or growth of something.
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