do the spadework

To do the necessary preparatory work or research to successfully complete a given task or objective. Likened to working the soil with a spade when preparing to plant something. If you are looking to start your own business, you have to be sure to do the spadework first. I was up all night doing the spadework for my first case as a lawyer.

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

do the spadework

Make the preliminary preparations or do the preliminary research for something. For example, The department head did all the spadework for this agreement. This expression transfers the heavy spading required to prepare for planting to other kinds of preparation. [c. 1900]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

See also:

spade up
beaver away
break a sweat
break sweat
dumpster fire
calling
get (one's) rocks off on (something)
boiling point
as though
be out for the count

References in periodicals archive

Leaders of 27 countries, including a grandstanding David Cameron, failed to do the spadework before gathering in Brussels so they must now meet again next year.

EU failure

Finally, since he tells us of the work he has done with allotments, why did he leave Cllr Cox to do the spadework on this one?

Bits and pieces; Your say

negotiator on North Korea, will leave Washington for China on Sunday to do the spadework for the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program, a State Department spokesman said Wednesday.

U.S. negotiator on N. Korea to visit China again next week

词组	do the spadework
释义	do the spadework do the spadework To do the necessary preparatory work or research to successfully complete a given task or objective. Likened to working the soil with a spade when preparing to plant something. If you are looking to start your own business, you have to be sure to do the spadework first. I was up all night doing the spadework for my first case as a lawyer. Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. do the spadework Make the preliminary preparations or do the preliminary research for something. For example, The department head did all the spadework for this agreement. This expression transfers the heavy spading required to prepare for planting to other kinds of preparation. [c. 1900] The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. See also: spade up beaver away break a sweat break sweat dumpster fire calling get (one's) rocks off on (something) boiling point as though be out for the count References in periodicals archive Leaders of 27 countries, including a grandstanding David Cameron, failed to do the spadework before gathering in Brussels so they must now meet again next year. EU failure Finally, since he tells us of the work he has done with allotments, why did he leave Cllr Cox to do the spadework on this one? Bits and pieces; Your say negotiator on North Korea, will leave Washington for China on Sunday to do the spadework for the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program, a State Department spokesman said Wednesday. U.S. negotiator on N. Korea to visit China again next week
随便看	a fight to the finish a fig leaf a figment of somebody's imagination a figure of fun a fine how do you do a fine Italian hand a fine line a fine line between something a fine state of affairs a fine-tooth comb afire a fire extinguisher a fire under (someone or something) a firm hand a fishbowl a fishing expedition a fish out of water a fish story a fish tale a five-alarm fire a flash in the pan a flea in ear a flea in (one's) ear a flea in your ear a fleeting glance