set the table

poner la mesa

Colocar platos, cubiertos y demás cosas necesarias en la mesa antes de comer.

En inglés sencillo: To put plates, knives, forks, and other things on a table before a meal.

• Can you set the table?
• We set the table before our guests arrived.
• She is setting the table for six people.

Cómo se usa: set the table for someone/something (I set the table for dinner.)

Sinónimos: lay the table

Antónimos: clear the table

Expresiones frecuentes: set the table nicely, set the table outside

preparar el terreno

Crear condiciones que faciliten que algo suceda después.

En inglés sencillo: To create conditions that help something happen later.

• These talks set the table for peace.
• Her early research set the table for later discoveries.
• A strong opening can set the table for a successful campaign.

Cómo se usa: set the table for something (The talks set the table for a final agreement.)

Sinónimos: set the stage, pave the way, lay the groundwork

Expresiones frecuentes: set the table well, set the table first