if events, problems, actions etc lead up to an important event, they happen one after another in a way that makes it possible for the event to happen
to gradually direct a conversation towards a particular subject, especially one that is difficult or embarrassing
to happen or exist immediately before something
I knew he was leading up to something, but I had no idea what.
If she had been writing dialogue for a play, she couldn't have written it any better, to lead up to her great line.
In the weeks leading up to graduation I did very little.
No.' `But are there any other stairs on this level that lead up to the next?
The negotiations leading up to the contract were very tough.
The stairs that lead up to the apartment are around on that side of the building.
leads up to
leading up to
led up to
There is no origin for this phrasal verb
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