pave the way
Meaning: To prepare the ground so that something can happen later.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The trial run paved the way for a full service.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: A paved road makes travel easy for whoever follows. The phrase is recorded in English from the 16th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Italian: preparare il terreno — literally: to prepare the ground
- Swedish: kratta manegen — literally: to rake the arena
More idioms — Daily Life
- catch someone off guard — To surprise someone who is not prepared.
- all at once — Suddenly, with no warning.
- do more harm than good — To make matters worse while trying to help.
- go through the motions — To do something without care or real effort.
- mark my words — Remember what I am telling you; it will turn out to be true.
- give someone the runaround — To put someone off with excuses instead of a straight answer.
More English idioms
- drag one's feet — To delay deliberately.
- be tone-deaf — To be unable to tell musical notes apart; also, to have no sense of how others feel.
- throw dust in someone's eyes — To mislead someone by distracting them.
- when pigs fly — Never.
- lead someone up the garden path — To deceive someone, keeping them hopeful along the way.
- packed like sardines — Crowded very tightly together.