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Liveinjapan Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

shop/a shop

Hi everyone

From my textbook :

With the news of giant discount retailer Mega-Mart's proposal to set up shop in Mayfield,....

I had to close up shop about half a year ago ,because they.....

Why do they drop 'a' before 'shop'? I always think the word 'shop' is countable noun.

Thanks
LiJ
  

Top answer

"To set up shop" and "to close up shop" are both idioms. Idioms are phrases that often cannot be understood if taken literally. They have come to have a specific meaning.

— GL2

  • "To set up shop" and "to close up shop" are both idioms.
  • Idioms are phrases that often cannot be understood if taken literally.
  • They have come to have a specific meaning.
  • "To set up shop" means to establish one's business/place of work.
  • "To close up shop" means to shut down one's business/place of work, either just for the day or forever.
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2 Answers
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"To set up shop" and "to close up shop" are both idioms. Idioms are phrases that often cannot be understood if taken literally. They have come to have a specific meaning. "To set up shop" means to establish one's business/place of work. "To close up shop" means to shut down one's business/place of work, either just for the day or forever.
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GL2, your answer is perfect because I understand perfectly Emotion: smile

LiJ
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