lay the groundwork (for something)



Like this video? Subscribe to our free daily email and get a new idiom video every day!

lay the groundwork (for something)

To create or prepare the basics or essential foundation (for something); to pave the way (for something). Our success with this healthcare bill wouldn't be possible, had the previous administration not laid the groundwork already. As CEO of the company, I laid the groundwork for one of the most successful international firms in the country.
See also: lay

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Sadia-Urdu, Bengali
Dickerson['dikəsən]
Zaman-Arabic, Urdu
Selene[si'li:ni]
GloriaGLAWR-ee-ə (English), glo-REE-ah (Italian), GLAW-ryah (Polish)English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Polish
Haggith-Biblical