lead up to
/ (liːd) /
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verb (intr, adverb + preposition)
to act as a preliminary or introduction to
to approach (a topic) gradually or cautiously
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Words nearby lead up to
lead time, lead track, lead tree, lead-up, lead up the garden path, lead up to, Leadville, lead white, lead with one's chin, leadwort, leadwort family
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Example sentences from the Web for lead up to
Idioms and Phrases with lead up to
lead up to
Prepare gradually for, result in gradually, as in These events clearly led up to the coup, or His remarks led up to the main point of the speech, that he was going to resign next year. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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