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soften the ground. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
soften the ground, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
soften the ground in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
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Pronunciation
Verb
soften the ground (third-person singular simple present softens the ground, present participle softening the ground, simple past and past participle softened the ground)
- (idiomatic, often followed by for) To prepare or create favorable conditions (for something), especially with the intent of improving public acceptance of the forthcoming occurrence.
1998 August 18, Tony Karon, “Who Knew?”, in Time, retrieved 2 February 2016:A steady rhythm of leaks and informed speculation prepared America for the President's Lewinsky confessional. . . . "The leaks definitely softened the ground for Clinton," says TIME White House correspondent Jay Branegan.
2015 November 20, Alan Feuer, “Michael Skolnik Taps His Social Network to Fight for Civil Rights”, in New York Times, retrieved 2 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 to soften the ground for social change.
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