lay the foundations
verb
Roget 66:
begin,
start,
commence;
conceive,
open,
dawn,
set in,
take its rise,
enter upon,
enter;
set out
etc.
(depart)
293;
embark in;
incept†.
initiate,
launch,
inaugurate.
inchoate,
rise,
arise,
originate.
usher in;
lead off,
lead the way;
take the lead,
take the initiative;
head;
stand at the head,
stand first,
stand for;
lay the foundations
etc.
(prepare)
673;
found
etc.
(cause)
153;
set up,
set on foot,
agoing†,
set abroach†,
set the ball in motion;
apply the match to a train;
broach;
open up,
open the door to.
get underway,
set about,
get to work,
set to work,
set to;
make a beginning,
make a start.
handsel;
take the first step,
lay the first stone,
cut the first turf;
break ground,
break the ice,
break cover;
pass the Rubicon,
cross the Rubicon;
open fire,
open the ball;
ventilate,
air;
undertake
etc.
676.
come into existence,
come into the world;
make one's debut,
take birth;
burst forth,
break out;
spring up,
spring forth,
crop up,
pop up,
appear,
materialize.
begin at the beginning,
begin ab ovo [Lat.].
begin again,
begin de novo;
start afresh,
make a fresh start,
take it from the top,
shuffle the cards,
reshuffle the cards,
resume,
recommence.
... show more
Roget 673:
prepare;
get ready,
make ready;
make preparations,
settle preliminaries,
get up,
sound the note of preparation.
set in order,
put in order
etc.
(arrange)
60;
forecast
etc.
(plan)
626;
prepare the ground,
plow the ground,
dress the ground;
till the soil,
cultivate the soil;
predispose,
sow the seed,
lay a train,
dig a mine;
lay the groundwork,
fix the groundwork,
lay the basis,
fix the basis,
lay the foundations,
fix the foundations;
dig the foundations,
erect the scaffolding;
lay the first stone
etc.
(begin)
66.
roughhew;
cut out work;
block out,
hammer out;
lick into shape
etc.
(form)
240.
elaborate,
mature,
ripen,
mellow,
season,
bring to maturity;
nurture
etc.
(aid)
707;
hatch,
cook,
brew;
temper,
anneal,
smelt;
barbecue;
infumate†;
maturate.
equip,
arm,
man;
fit-out,
fit up;
furnish,
rig,
dress,
garnish,
betrim†,
accouter,
array,
fettle,
fledge;
dress up,
furbish up,
brush up,
vamp up;
refurbish;
sharpen one's tools,
trim one's foils,
set,
prime,
attune;
whet the knife,
whet the sword;
wind up,
screw up;
adjust
etc.
(fit)
27;
put in trim,
put in train,
put in gear,
put in working order,
put in tune,
put in a groove for,
put in harness;
pack.
train
etc.
(teach)
537;
inure
etc.
(habituate)
613;
breed;
prepare for
&c.;
rehearse;
make provision for;
take steps,
take measures,
take precautions;
provide,
provide against;
beat up for recruits;
open the door to
etc.
(facilitate)
705.
set one's house in order,
make all snug;
clear the decks,
clear for action;
close one's ranks;
shuffle the cards.
prepare oneself;
serve an apprenticeship
etc.
(learn)
539;
lay oneself out for,
get into harness,
gird up one's loins,
buckle on one's armor,
reculer pour mieux sauter [Fr.],
prime and load,
shoulder arms,
get the steam up,
put the horses to.
guard against,
make sure against;
forearm,
make sure,
prepare for the evil day,
have a rod in pickle,
provide against a rainy day,
feather one's nest;
lay in provisions
etc.
637;
make investments;
keep on foot.
be prepared,
be ready
etc.
adj.;
hold oneself in readiness,
keep one's powder dry;
lie in wait for
etc.
(expect)
507;
anticipate
etc.
(foresee)
510;
principiis obstare [Lat.];
veniente occurrere morbo [Lat.].
... show more
lay the foundation
Moby thesaurus: base, blaze the trail, break the ice, build, build in, clear the way, cultivate the soil, establish, fix, found, go in advance, ground, install, invest, lay the groundwork, open the way, pave the way, pitch, plant, prepare the way, put in, put up, seat, set, set up, sow the seed, vest ... show more.
debug info: 0.0277