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)

• hold it
• hold its own
• hold off
• hold off something
• hold on
• hold on for dear life
• hold on like grim death
• hold onto
• hold on to for dear life
• hold on to someone for dear life
• hold onto something
• be as deaf as a post
• be as dry as a bone
• be as dull as dishwater
• be as dull as ditchwater
• be as easy as abc
• be as easy as falling off a log
• be as easy as pie
• be as fast as all get out
• be as [fast/hot/thin etc.] as all get out
• be as fit as a fiddle
• be as flat as a pancake
• be as fresh as a daisy
• be as full as a boot
• be as full as a tick