do the spadework

Idioms  

1. Make the preliminary preparations or do the preliminary research for something. For example, The department head did all the spadework for this agreement. This expression transfers the heavy spading required to prepare for planting to other kinds of preparation. [c. 1900]

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Example Sentences

"That's going to be a popular lane. I bet some heavy hitters file in early April. It's soon enough to do the spadework by the summer to be in the best position," he tells U.S.

From US News

Obama joins a list of presidents that includes Bill Clinton and George W. Bush who used the elbow room of a second term to tackle Mideast peacemaking, but he is letting Kerry do the spadework for now.

From Washington Post

I'm not going to do the spadework and let her reap the harvest.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet when sensational crimes and celebrity scandals grab the nation's attention, these are the shows that do the spadework, uncover the dirt, get the scoops.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Chicago Sun-Times will have regular staffers do the spadework, but is also sending Novelist Irving Wallace with a mandate that is typical for such high-priced talent.

From Time Magazine Archive