be set up

1. To be deceived by someone, so as to fall victim to something. A: "The doors are all locked and the police are outside!" B: "We've been set up!" I can't believe our so-called friend set us up! He was supposed to give us the code so we could break into the garage, but it turns out he gave us a fake code that set off the alarm instead! Mom, you're being set up. Please don't give your Social Security number to anyone on the phone.

2. To be made to seem guilty of some crime or wrongdoing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is often used between "set" and "up." Those drugs aren't mine—someone is setting me up! I had nothing to do with this burglary, I swear! I've been set up! Alfred's a great student, though—why would he steal the test answers? I think someone is setting him up.

3. To be paired with someone else for a date or the possibility of a romantic relationship. I don't know Todd that well, actually—we were set up by a mutual friend and only went on one date. I'm starting to think that dying alone is better than being set up with losers all the time! My husband and I were set up, you know. A friend of mine was taking a class with him, and I told her I thought he was cute, and the rest is history!