LEAD UP

I. (verb)

Meaning:

Set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for

Example:

Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II

Synonyms:

initiate; lead up

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "lead up" is one way to...):

initiate; originate; start (bring into being)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something