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Glite Dictionary
to pave the way

to pave the way

56 3.7
Make it possible or easier for something to happen by getting things ready
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : allanar el camino
  • And the money from Korinn's Keep paved the way for my campaign.
  • help pave the way
  • pave the way for the future
  • thus paving the way

And this is apparently to pave the way for the launch of the Vive too.

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Examples

  • This long-awaited news has paved the way for the launch of the official operation to begin rebuilding our nation.

    The End We Start From (2023)

  • A review of data reveals some meaningful findings that can pave the way for further research.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Her bold look paved the way for future stars to dress outside of the box.

  • You are paving the way for us in the movie world.

  • Perhaps the youth will pave the way in ways that I could not.

  • Her lawsuit paved the way for women boxers.

    Jerry Maguire (1996)

  • Trade liberalization and the information revolution have paved the way for the globalization of financial markets.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Conversely, the expanded relations can pave the way for political negotiations.

    Academic text (1991)

  • First, several young violin prodigies began performing in America and paved the way for female soloists.

    Academic text (1993)

  • A college degree is supposed to pave the way to a better life.

Synonyms

to lead up
vsto pave the way
89 4.0

To cause events that prepare for something that happens later

focuses on easing future events rather than on a preceding sequence
to make it possible
vsto pave the way
88 2.4

To allow someone or something to do what they could not before

makes future events easier by preparing conditions beforehand
to make way
vsto pave the way
57 2.3

Move aside to let a person or vehicle pass

creates easier future events by preparing conditions rather than moving aside
to set the stage
vsto pave the way
42 3.9

Prepare conditions that make an event or change likely

focuses on easing future events through active preparatory actions
to carve a path
vsto pave the way
1 4.2

To make a way through something, physically or by creating new opportunities

makes later happenings easier by prior preparation rather than by route cutting

Antonyms

to obstruct
119 5.1

To block a path or view

to impede
35 6.5

To slow the progress or movement of people and things

How Prepared

to open doors
53 3.2
to pave the way
56 3.7
to help along
21 2.9

Surface Forms

pave the way infinitive
paved the way past
paved the way past participle
paving the way present participle
paves the way third person singular

Morphology

pave + the + way

The meaning 'to make it possible or easier for something to happen' follows directly from combining 'pave' (to make a surface smooth/usable) with 'way' (path): paving a path makes passage easier, so the metaphorical extension to facilitating an outcome is transparent. This image and equivalent expressions exist in many languages (e.g., Spanish 'allanar el camino', French 'ouvrir la voie'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will likely infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Pave the way comes from the image of building a smooth road, because to pave a way means to cover a path with stones or a hard surface so people can travel easily. So, 'pave the way' means to do something that makes a future event possible or easier.