Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
soften the ground en · VERB
Pronunciation
Meanings
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(followed by for, idiomatic, often) To prepare or create favorable conditions (for something), especially with the intent of improving public acceptance of the forthcoming occurrence.
Bowen and the prime minister began to soften the ground for the tobacco tax hike on Wednesday in separate events in Sydney and Brisbane.
2013 July 31, Katharine Murphy, “Australia: Tobacco tax expected to raise more than $5bn”, in Guardian, UK, retrieved 02 Feb 2016:A steady rhythm of leaks and informed speculation prepared America for the President's Lewinsky confessional. . . . "The leaks definitely softened the ground for Clinton," says TIME White House correspondent Jay Branegan.
1998 August 18, Tony Karon, “Who Knew?”, in Time, retrieved 02 Feb 2016:Mr. Skolnik . . . has become the man you go to if you are on the left and want to leverage the power of celebrity and the reach of digital media to soften the ground for social change.
2015 November 20, Alan Feuer, “Michael Skolnik Taps His Social Network to Fight for Civil Rights”, in New York Times, retrieved 02 Feb 2016:
Forms
Relateds
pave the way