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

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

These new tariffs set the scene for the beginnings of a new global trade war. —Courtenay Brown, Axios, 1 Feb. 2025

Rhymes for set the scene

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