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
Helping young people understand what your organization stands for can lay the foundation for a lasting relationship.
—
Shaun Carver, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
According to Morgan Stanley, nearly half of all Fortune 500 companies were founded during a recession or economic downturn—a reminder that moments of uncertainty often lay the foundation for lasting success.
—Victoria Chynoweth, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
The 18-song collection is a vital salute to the Southern Black String Band traditions that helped lay the foundation for country music.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025
Seventeen miles west, in a dusty industrial nook of northern Denver, workers on a recent day scattered across a huge pit dug into the earth to lay the foundation for that city’s newest data center.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay the groundwork/foundation
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Shaun Carver, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
According to Morgan Stanley, nearly half of all Fortune 500 companies were founded during a recession or economic downturn—a reminder that moments of uncertainty often lay the foundation for lasting success.
—Victoria Chynoweth, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
The 18-song collection is a vital salute to the Southern Black String Band traditions that helped lay the foundation for country music.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025
Seventeen miles west, in a dusty industrial nook of northern Denver, workers on a recent day scattered across a huge pit dug into the earth to lay the foundation for that city’s newest data center.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay the groundwork/foundation
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Cite this Entry
“Lay the groundwork/foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20the%20groundwork%2Ffoundation. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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