pave the way

== English == === Etymology === From the idea that once a paved path has been laid, travel on the route is easier and smoother for others. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈpeɪv ðə ˈweɪ/ === Verb === pave the way (third-person singular simple present paves the way, present participle paving the way, simple past and past participle paved the way) (idiomatic) To make future progress or development easier. [with for] 1972, “Revolution at Floodtide”, in Thomas G[arden] Barnes and Gerald D[onald] Feldman, editors, Nationalism, Industrialization, and Democracy 1815–1914 (A Documentary History of Europe; III), Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Company, →OCLC; republished Lanham, Md.; London: University Press of America, 1980, →ISBN, page 91: Prince Louis Napoleon was president of France, and his dictatorial behaviour was paving the way for his assumption of the imperial crown. ==== Synonyms ==== grease the wheels set the stage prepare the ground ==== Translations ====