set the table

apparecchiare la tavola

Mettere piatti, posate e altre cose necessarie sulla tavola prima del pasto.

In inglese semplice: 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.

Come si usa: set the table for someone/something (I set the table for dinner.)

Sinonimi: lay the table

Contrari: clear the table

Espressioni comuni: set the table nicely, set the table outside

preparare il terreno

Creare condizioni favorevoli perché qualcosa possa accadere in seguito.

In inglese semplice: 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.

Come si usa: set the table for something (The talks set the table for a final agreement.)

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

Espressioni comuni: set the table well, set the table first