lead up to
The phrase 'lead up to' is a versatile phrasal verb often used to describe preparatory actions, gradual progression, or preceding events.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(common)To occur before an event or situation, often serving as preparation.
Example
- The weeks leading up to the exam were filled with intense study sessions.
B2Conversation
(informal)To gradually introduce or build up to a topic.
Example
- He was leading up to asking her out on a date.
B2Chronological Events
(common)To describe the events or period that precede a specific occurrence.
Example
- The events leading up to the declaration of war were complex and multifaceted.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lead up to":
lead inlead outlead onlead offcome up toget ahead ofbuild upcome beforecome uprun up