lay the groundwork (for something)

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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.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Reijo	RAY-yo	Finnish
Renata	re-NAH-tah (Italian, Spanish, German, Polish)	Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Slovene, Late Roman
Susann	zoo-ZAHN (German)	German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Hro&Eth;Ulf	-	Anglo-Saxon
Wibowo	-	Indonesian, Javanese
TimothÉ	tee-mo-TE	French