prepareverb [ I or T ]
uk/prɪˈpeər/us/prɪˈper/A2 to make or get something or someone ready for something that will happen in the future:
Have you prepared for your interview?
She'll prepare the food ahead of time and freeze it.
This course prepares students for middle and senior managerial positions.
[ + obj + to infinitive ] Are the players mentally and physically prepared to play a tough game?
The meal took two hours to prepare.
B1 to expect that something will happen and to be ready for it:
[ + to infinitive ] It almost seems as if she is preparing to die.
You need to prepare yourself for a long wait.
More examples
- I was busily preparing for their arrival.
- The sixth-form students are preparing to take their A levels.
- I don't think you appreciate how much time I spent preparing this meal.
- Flushed with success after their surprise win against Italy, Belgium are preparing for Saturday's game against Spain.
- I hadn't prepared a speech so I just said a few words off the cuff.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Preparing
- batten
- batten down the hatches idiom
- break sb in
- build-up
- calibrate
- draw
- forewarn
- gear
- gird
- gird yourself idiom
- groundwork
- homework
- lay the basis/foundations for sth idiom
- preparation
- roll
- steel
- suit
- suit up
- work (yourself) up to sth
- work your way around to sth idiom
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Idiom(s)
prepare the ground