pre ‧ pare S1 W1 /prɪˈpeə $ -ˈper/ BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ preparation , preparations, ↑ preparedness ; adjective : ↑ prepared ≠ ↑ unprepared , ↑ preparatory ; verb : ↑ prepare ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: French ; Origin: préparer , from Latin praeparare , from parare 'to get, prepare' ]
1 . MAKE SOMETHING [transitive]
a) to make a meal or a substance:
Prepare the sauce while the pasta is cooking.
When we got home, Stephano was busy preparing dinner.
b) to write a document, make a programme etc:
Health and safety officers will investigate the site and prepare a report.
Green set himself the task of preparing a map of this remote area.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say that someone makes a meal rather than prepares it:
▪
Who’s making dinner tonight?
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I’ll make the gravy.
2 . MAKE PLANS/ARRANGEMENTS [intransitive and transitive] to make plans or arrangements for something that will happen in the future SYN get ready
prepare for
The 45-year-old explorer has been preparing for his latest expedition to the Arctic.
prepare to do something
Her parents were busy preparing to go on holiday.
The prosecution wanted more time to prepare their case.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say that someone gets ready for something rather than prepares for it:
▪
We’re getting ready to move next week.
3 . MAKE SOMETHING READY [transitive] to make something ready to be used:
Prepare the soil, then plant the seedlings eight inches apart.
prepare something for somebody/something
Coulthard’s team were up all night preparing the car for the race.
4 . MAKE YOURSELF READY [transitive] to make yourself mentally or physically ready for something that you expect to happen soon
prepare yourself (for something)
The letter arrived, and we prepared ourselves for bad news.
Can you just give me a couple more moments to prepare myself?
prepare yourself for a race/fight etc
The Chicago Bears are busy preparing themselves for the big game.
prepare to do something
Buy the album, and prepare to be amazed.
5 . MAKE SOMEBODY READY [transitive] to provide someone with the training, skills, experience etc that they will need to do a job or to deal with a situation
prepare somebody for something
a course that prepares students for English examinations
Schools should do more to prepare children for the world of work.
What does a coach do to prepare his team for the Superbowl?
6 . prepare the way/ground for somebody/something to make it possible for something to be achieved, or for someone to succeed in doing something:
Curie’s research prepared the way for the work of modern nuclear scientists.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to prepare for an event
▪ prepare to make plans or arrangements for something that will happen in the future so that you will be ready when it happens:
He only had a few hours to prepare for the interview.
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The family are preparing to move to Queensland.
▪ get ready to prepare for something. Get ready is less formal than prepare and is the usual phrase to use in everyday English:
Smith has been busy getting ready for the race.
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The army was getting ready to attack.
▪ make preparations to prepare for an event that needs a lot of planning:
The couple are making preparations for their wedding next year.
▪ gear up to prepare for an important event – used about companies, organizations, cities etc:
Stores are gearing up for the busy Christmas shopping period.
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The city is gearing up for the Olympics.
■ to prepare something so it can be used
▪ prepare to make something ready to be used:
Have you prepared your speech?
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Groundsmen were preparing the pitch for tomorrow’s game.
▪ get something ready to prepare something. Get something ready is less formal than prepare and is the usual phrase to use in everyday English:
They were getting the ship ready to sail.
▪ set (something) up to prepare equipment so that it is ready to be used:
It will take a few minutes to set the camera up.
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The band was setting up on the stage.