set the scene

idiom

1

: to give someone information that is needed to understand something

Before I tell the story, let me set the scene (for you).

2

: to create the conditions in which something can happen

His comments set the scene for an argument.

Examples of set the scene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The long-term ecological consequences of these human interventions may have set the scene for an explosion in mainland penguin populations. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025

But the parties happening before and after the awards show set the scene for even sexier fashions to take flight. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025

Google has set the scene for the second generation of smartphone AI with Gemini and is pushing this and the Pixel 9 family online. —Ewan Spence, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

Alternatively, a song could give guests directions to the next session or set the scene for dinner by singing about the menu, turning an unnoteworthy piece of information into a unique and unforgettable moment that all attendees share. —Nhu Khue Ngo, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Rhymes for set the scene

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean