leads up to
Gradually approaches something
Leads up to describes events or actions that precede and build toward something: The weeks leading up to the wedding were chaotic.
It suggests a progression or accumulation rather than an abrupt arrival.
The phrase can also mean gradually approaching a topic in conversation, often implying hesitation or indirect tactics: I could tell she was leading up to something.
- stepFoot movement forward
- precursorSomething that comes first
- pathRoute for traveling
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- in the worksBeing prepared or planned
introduction · prologue · chain reaction · door · antecedent · foreshadowing · opening · catalyst · on the horizon · getting closer · counting down · approach · foundation · groundwork · commencement · onset · domino effect · genesis
leads up tocomes after
Occurs subsequently to
succeeds · stems from · trails
lead, leads, led, leading, leader, leaders, leadership, mislead, misleads