set the scene

set the scene (third-person singular simple present sets the scene, present participle setting the scene, simple past and past participle set the scene)

1. To prepare for something by providing a background, a description, etc.
   • 2004, Paul Skrebels, Sieta van der Hoeven, For All Time?: Critical Issues in Teaching Shakespeare, page 43:

     For example, in teaching the banquet scene in Macbeth, I set the scene by setting up several banquet tables

   • 2010, David Strang, Learning by Example: Imitation and Innovation at a Global Bank:

     This chapter has also set the scene by reviewing the operational structure of benchmarking, as well as outlining the research materials central to this study.