lay a foundation

== English == === Etymology === Figurative senses from the idea of laying a foundation as the first step in constructing a building. === Verb === lay a foundation (third-person singular simple present lays a foundation, present participle laying a foundation, simple past and past participle laid a foundation) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lay,‎ foundation. (law) To elicit information from a witness to show that the witness has knowledge of a matter before the witness testifies to the matter itself. (figurative) To make a start.