lay a foundation en · VERB
Etymology
Figurative senses from the idea of laying a foundation as the first step in constructing a building.
Meanings
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lay, foundation.
-
To elicit information from a witness to show that the witness has knowledge of a matter before the witness testifies to the matter itself.
In order to lay a foundation for the witness to describe the murder, the prosecutor first had to show that the witness was present when the murder occurred.
-
(figuratively) To make a start.
You should lay a foundation, even if you can't finish the project.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| laying a foundation | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| lays a foundation | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| laid a foundation | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| laid a foundation | Tense=Past | lexicographic |