set (oneself) up as (something)
phrasal verb
set (oneself) up as (something); setting (oneself) up as (something); sets (oneself) up as (something)
1
: to try to make people believe that one is (something)
He sets himself up as a defender of the people, but he's really only interested in getting more power.
2
: to start one's own business
She set herself up as a wedding planner.
Examples of set (oneself) up as (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The good governance watchdog on Wednesday also referred the straw donor complaint to the Department of Justice, alleging the group was set up as a pass through to shield the identity of the donor or donors.
—
Taylor Giorno, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024
Colorful Halloween Bar Cart A bar set up as an at-home chemistry experiment gives the impression that poison could be on the menu.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024
From the start, the film was set up as a psychological thriller grounded in an art-house approach very much inspired by David Lynch.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Each county is set up as an operational area and the local chiefs – which can include police chiefs – who represent their areas put in requests and are the emergency managers for their counties, except for Los Angeles City Fire, which has its own emergency manager.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for set (oneself) up as (something) 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Taylor Giorno, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024
Colorful Halloween Bar Cart A bar set up as an at-home chemistry experiment gives the impression that poison could be on the menu.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024
From the start, the film was set up as a psychological thriller grounded in an art-house approach very much inspired by David Lynch.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Each county is set up as an operational area and the local chiefs – which can include police chiefs – who represent their areas put in requests and are the emergency managers for their counties, except for Los Angeles City Fire, which has its own emergency manager.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for set (oneself) up as (something)
Dictionary Entries Near set (oneself) up as (something)
Cite this Entry
“Set (oneself) up as (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20%28oneself%29%20up%20as%20%28something%29. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share