lay the groundwork/foundation
idiom
: to provide the right conditions
We are laying the groundwork/foundation for additional research.
Examples of lay the groundwork/foundation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hayes not only wanted to shake things up for the Olympics but lay the groundwork for the 2027 World Cup, a competition of greater importance.
—
Steven Goff, Washington Post, 26 June 2024
Account based ticketing would, agency officials say, lay the groundwork another policy designed to improve affordability: fare capping.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2024
But their collection, which includes works by artists as disparate as Titian, Willem de Kooning, and Amy Sherald, will lay the foundation for the small Jesuit college’s first art museum, for which Hedreen has also pledged another $25 million of seed money.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 14 June 2024
However, some reports have suggested that Apple will break that tradition and introduce the M4 at this event to preempt Microsoft's competing announcement and to lay the groundwork for AI features to be discussed at WWDC.
—Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lay the groundwork/foundation 
Steven Goff, Washington Post, 26 June 2024
Account based ticketing would, agency officials say, lay the groundwork another policy designed to improve affordability: fare capping.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2024
But their collection, which includes works by artists as disparate as Titian, Willem de Kooning, and Amy Sherald, will lay the foundation for the small Jesuit college’s first art museum, for which Hedreen has also pledged another $25 million of seed money.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 14 June 2024
However, some reports have suggested that Apple will break that tradition and introduce the M4 at this event to preempt Microsoft's competing announcement and to lay the groundwork for AI features to be discussed at WWDC.
—Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lay the groundwork/foundation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lay the groundwork/foundation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Dictionary Entries Near lay the groundwork/foundation
Cite this Entry
“Lay the groundwork/foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20the%20groundwork%2Ffoundation. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share