set fair

Conditions are good, so something is likely to succeed.

• Our chances look set fair.
• The project is set fair for success.
• After the funding arrived, the business looked set fair to grow.

How to use it: be set fair for something (The team is set fair for another victory.); be set fair to do something (Sales are set fair to rise this year.)

Similar words: promising, favorable

Opposites: unpromising

Common phrases: set fair for success, look set fair

The weather is clear and pleasant and likely to stay that way.

• The weather is set fair.
• The forecast looks set fair for the weekend.
• With the skies set fair, we packed a picnic.

Similar words: fine, settled

Opposites: unsettled

Common phrases: weather set fair, remain set fair

Someone or something is in a good condition or state.

• The ship was set fair.
• After the repairs, everything looked set fair.
• They left the farm set fair for the new owner.

Similar words: in good shape, in good order

Common phrases: everything set fair, ship set fair

You give fresh plaster a smooth final surface after putting on the first rough layer.

• The builder set fair the plaster.
• We must set fair these walls before painting them.
• She set fair the ceiling with a steel trowel.

How to use it: set fair something (The plasterer set fair the new wall.)

Similar words: smooth, finish

Common phrases: set fair plaster, set fair walls

Conditions become good and likely to help someone succeed.

• His prospects set fair after the agreement.
• Conditions have set fair for a successful harvest.
• With new orders arriving, the outlook began to set fair.

Similar words: improve

Opposites: worsen

Common phrases: prospects set fair, conditions set fair

The weather becomes clear and pleasant and seems likely to stay that way.

• The weather began to set fair.
• After days of rain, the skies set fair.
• We waited for the weather to set fair before sailing.

Similar words: clear up

Common phrases: weather set fair, set fair overnight

You arrange things neatly and put them in order.

• She set fair the room.
• He set fair his desk before leaving.
• We set fair the house for our guests.

How to use it: set fair something (She set fair the room before the visitors arrived.)

Similar words: tidy, put in order

Common phrases: set fair something, set fair everything