lay a/the foundation

idiom

: to create a usually stone or concrete structure that supports a building from underneath

: to provide something (such as an idea, a principle, or a fact) from which another thing develops or can develop

Her early research laid the foundation for many important medical discoveries.

Examples of lay a/the foundation in a Sentence

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Listening leads to understanding, which can, in turn, lead to great self-confidence and lay the foundation for people's confidence in you. —

John Baldoni, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 You’re being asked to lay the foundation for a nurturing home life and take small, steady steps toward your personal goals in the process. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025 Offer free tools, educational resources or personalized consultations to lay the foundation of a reciprocal relationship. —

William Decourcy, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 Some think that Buffett is holding out for better opportunities when prices come down during an economic downturn, while strengthening the cash war chest as a way to lay the foundation for his successor, Greg Abel. —

Yun Li, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation

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“Lay a/the foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20a%2Fthe%20foundation. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

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