lead up to (something)
Meaning(s)
1. precede something, precede and help to cause something, precede and help to introduce something
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
the events leading up to the incident
Analysis
To lead up to something means to proceed or to happen in the time before something else. To lead up to something can mean to come before something and to contribute to the cause of something or to introduce something that comes next. This is a phrasal verb that is used in both professional and social contexts.
Social Examples (Basic)
- The two candidates took part in a series of televised debates in the lead up to the election.
- Due to the head injury he sustained, the driver said that he had no recollection of the events leading up to the crash.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- The weeks that led up to the product's roll out were incredibly stressful. Thankfully everything went smoothly.
- I was just leading up to the main point I wanted to make in the meeting when I was interrupted and lost my train of thought.