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set the scene/stage

(also the scene/stage is set)

Definition

used to mean that conditions have been made right for something to happen, or that something is likely to happen: This weekend's talks between the two leaders have set the scene for a peace agreement to be reached. The stage looks set for a repeat of last year's final.Preparing
(Definition of set the scene/stage from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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