prepare the ground for (something)

to make conditions ready for something to happen in the future.

These experiments prepared the ground for the development of sound-recording technology.

Usage notes: often used in a political context:

Even if she is preparing the ground to run for governor, the senator will probably stay in the Senate.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of prepare the ground (= to make land ready for planting crops)

• give notice to
• give notice to someone
• given to
• given to doing something
• give or take
• give or take something
• give out
• give pause
• give pause for thought
• give pride of place
• give props to
• give props to someone
• give rise to
• give rise to something
• give short shrift
• give someone a bad name
• give someone a bell
• give someone a bloody nose
• give someone a break
• give someone a buzz
• give someone a dirty look
• give someone a dose of own medicine
• give someone a dose of their own medicine
• give someone a fair crack of the whip
• give someone a foot in the door