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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Is the sentence "you set me up" offensive?
Because of some reasons, I feel that I've been set up by a colleague, so I told him that "You set me up" and he said that was vulgar. However, I looked it up from dictionary, its nature is only informal and isn't offensive. Was he overreacted or it's indeed a vulgar expression? One more thing, is there any expression which is tactful and can convey the same meaning? Thanks a lot for your help 
and sorry for my English if it makes you hard to read.
and sorry for my English if it makes you hard to read.Top answer
Hi, I wouldn't call it vulgar. It may or may not be offensive or serious, depending on the context and on the results of the 'setting up'. eg the result is that you go to jail.
- Hi, I wouldn't call it vulgar.
- It may or may not be offensive or serious, depending on the context and on the results of the 'setting up'.
- eg the result is that you go to jail.
- eg the result is that you lose your job.
- eg the result is that your colleagues give you a surprise birthday party when you thought it would be a business meeting.
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6 Answers
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Hi,
I wouldn't call it vulgar. It may or may not be offensive or serious, depending on the context and on the results of the 'setting up'.
eg the result is that you go to jail.
eg the result is that you lose your job.
eg the result is that your colleagues give you a surprise birthday party when you thought it would be a business meeting.
I wouldn't call it vulgar. It may or may not be offensive or serious, depending on the context and on the results of the 'setting up'.
eg the result is that you go to jail.
eg the result is that you lose your job.
eg the result is that your colleagues give you a surprise birthday party when you thought it would be a business meeting.
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Thanks, I think I got what you mean, "set somebody up" can be used to describe both good and bad things? He set me up because of his incompetence in his job.
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Hi,
I think I got what you mean, "set somebody up" can be used to describe both good and bad things?
Yes, but see my comments below.
He set me up because of his incompetence in his job.
If Tom sets Fred up, it means that he deliberately puts Fred in a false position of some kind.
eg Tom robs a bank. He deliberately leaves Fred's book, with F
I think I got what you mean, "set somebody up" can be used to describe both good and bad things?
Yes, but see my comments below.
He set me up because of his incompetence in his job.
If Tom sets Fred up, it means that he deliberately puts Fred in a false position of some kind.
eg Tom robs a bank. He deliberately leaves Fred's book, with F
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Hi,
Let me add this comment about usage.
The expression 'You set me up' is something that people say quite a lot on TV or in the movies. However, I don't think I've ever heard someone in real life say this.
Best wishes, Clive
Let me add this comment about usage.
The expression 'You set me up' is something that people say quite a lot on TV or in the movies. However, I don't think I've ever heard someone in real life say this.
Best wishes, Clive
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