I was the victim of a setup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was the victim of a setup" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone has been deceived or manipulated into a compromising position. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it became clear that I was the victim of a setup orchestrated by my rivals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They often prefer French newspapers, where the idea that Mr. Strauss-Kahn was the victim of a setup has been frequently discussed.

The New York Times

Some of Mr. Strauss-Kahn's allies said that he must have been the victim of a setup.

The New York Times

She has said the remarks refer just to illegal immigrants, and claims she is the victim of a setup by her ex-husband.

The Guardian

Stone has vehemently denied the accusations, claiming he's the victim of a setup.

HuffPost

The new doubts about Strauss-Kahn's accuser could also feed suspicions in France that he was the victim of a politically motivated setup.

Huffington Post

Buonafede is the victim of a joke.

The New York Times - Arts

Was I the victim of a "coincidence"?

The New York Times

"It's the victim of its success".

The New York Times

And who is the victim of injustice?

SEP

I was a victim of a crime.

WikiHow

Who are the "victims" of communism?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "I was the victim of a setup", ensure the context clearly explains who orchestrated the setup and what their motivations might have been. Provide specific details to strengthen the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "I was the victim of a setup" as a default excuse without providing concrete evidence or a plausible explanation of how the setup occurred. Without supporting details, it can sound defensive and unconvincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was the victim of a setup" functions as a declarative statement. It asserts that the speaker was wrongly targeted by a planned deception. As evidenced by Ludwig, this construction commonly appears to explain adverse circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was the victim of a setup" is used to express that someone believes they have been deliberately tricked or manipulated into a compromising position. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While "I was framed" and "I fell into a trap" offer similar meanings, the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. When employing this phrase, it's essential to provide context and evidence to support the claim, avoiding its overuse as a baseless excuse. Remember that the reliability of sources like "The New York Times" and "The Guardian" make them trustworthy origins to consult in case of doubt about the proper usage of similar expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was set up

A more concise version of the original phrase, lacking the explicit 'victim' component.

I was framed

A more direct and common way to express being wrongly accused of something.

I fell into a trap

Highlights the element of a pre-arranged scheme designed to ensnare someone.

I was a dupe

Suggests being easily fooled or tricked, highlighting naivety.

I was entrapped

Emphasizes the use of deception to lure someone into a compromising situation.

I was made a scapegoat

Indicates being blamed for something others are responsible for.

I was played

Implies being manipulated like a pawn in a game.

I was the fall guy

Similar to 'scapegoat', specifically meaning someone made to take the blame.

I was deceived

A general term for being misled or betrayed.

I was double-crossed

Suggests betrayal by someone trusted.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I was the victim of a setup"?

Saying "I was the victim of a setup" means you believe you were deliberately tricked or manipulated into a compromising or disadvantageous situation by someone else.

What can I say instead of "I was the victim of a setup"?

You can use alternatives like "I was framed", "I was entrapped", or "I fell into a trap" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "I was set up" or "I was the victim of a setup"?

"I was set up" is a more concise and informal way of saying "I was the victim of a setup". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis on your role as the victim.

How to use "I was the victim of a setup" in a sentence?

You can use "I was the victim of a setup" to explain why you are in a difficult situation, for example: "After reviewing the evidence, it became clear that I was the victim of a setup orchestrated by my rivals".