soften the ground

Language: en

Meaning: (idiomatic,often followed byfor)Toprepareor createfavorableconditions(for something), especially with the intent of improving publicacceptanceof theforthcomingoccurrence.1998August 18,Tony Karon, “Who Knew?”, inTime, retrieved2 February 2016:A steady rhythm of leaks and informed speculation prepared America for the President's Lewinsky confessional. . . . "The leaks definitelysoftened the groundfor Clinton," says TIME White House correspondent Jay Branegan.2013July 31, Katharine Murphy, “Australia: Tobacco tax expected to raise more than $5bn”, inGuardian, UK, retrieved2 February 2016:Bowen and the prime minister began tosoften the groundfor the tobacco tax hike on Wednesday in separate events in Sydney and Brisbane.2015November 20, Alan Feuer, “Michael Skolnik Taps His Social Network to Fight for Civil Rights”, inNew York Times, retrieved2 February 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 tosoften the groundfor social change.

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