Lay the groundwork for
Example: The research findings laid the groundwork for further studies in the field.
(这些研究结果为该领域的进一步研究打下了基础。)

Bring into question
Example: The recent events have brought into question the effectiveness of current policies.
(最近的事件让当前政策的有效性受到质疑。)

Set in motion
Example: The new policy will set in motion a series of reforms in the education system.
(新政策将推动一系列教育体制改革。)

Take a proactive approach to
Example: The government should take a proactive approach to addressing climate change.
(政府应采取积极主动的方式应对气候变化。)

Make headway in
Example: Significant progress has been made in understanding the causes of the disease.
(在理解疾病的原因方面已经取得了显著进展。)

Be a catalyst for
Example: Technological innovation has been a catalyst for economic growth in many countries.
(科技创新已成为许多国家经济增长的催化剂。)

Call into question
Example: The report calls into question the accuracy of the data used in the study.
(该报告对研究中使用的数据的准确性提出了质疑。)

Give rise to
Example: The new regulations are likely to give rise to a number of unforeseen challenges.
(新规定可能会引发一系列无法预见的挑战。)

Draw attention to
Example: The speaker drew attention to the importance of protecting natural resources.
(演讲者强调了保护自然资源的重要性。)

Bring to light
Example: The investigation brought to light several serious issues within the organization.
(调查揭示了组织内存在的几个严重问题。)

Get the ball rolling
Example: We need to get the ball rolling on this project if we want to meet the deadline.
(如果我们想按时完成任务，就需要开始这个项目。)

Set the stage for
Example: The success of the initial experiment set the stage for further research.
(初步实验的成功为进一步的研究奠定了基础。)

Put in place
Example: New safety measures have been put in place to protect workers.
(新的安全措施已到位，以保护工人。)

Take a toll on
Example: The constant stress at work is beginning to take a toll on his health.
(工作中的持续压力开始对他的健康产生负面影响。)

Draw on
Example: The writer draws on personal experiences to create a compelling narrative.
(这位作家通过个人经历创作出引人入胜的叙述。)

Be on the brink of
Example: The company is on the brink of a major breakthrough in medical technology.
(该公司即将迎来医学技术的重大突破。)

Take into account
Example: We must take into account all possible factors before making a final decision.
(在做出最终决定之前，我们必须考虑所有可能的因素。)

Come under scrutiny
Example: The new policy has come under intense scrutiny from the public.
(新政策受到了公众的严格审查。)

Make a compelling case for
Example: The report makes a compelling case for improving public transportation.
(这份报告强有力地提出了改善公共交通的理由。)

Bear in mind
Example: It is important to bear in mind the potential risks when making investments.
(在进行投资时，必须牢记潜在的风险。)

Take precedence over
Example: National security should take precedence over individual freedoms in certain cases.
(在某些情况下，国家安全应当优先于个人自由。)

Push the boundaries of
Example: The latest technological advancements are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
(最新的技术进步正在突破可能性的边界。)

Place emphasis on
Example: The course places emphasis on developing critical thinking skills.
(这门课程强调培养批判性思维能力。)

Make strides in
Example: The organization has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint.
(该组织在减少碳足迹方面取得了显著进展。)

Be prone to
Example: People who don’t get enough sleep are prone to making mistakes.
(缺乏睡眠的人容易犯错误。)

Bring about a shift in
Example: The recent policy changes have brought about a shift in public opinion.
(最近的政策变化引起了公众舆论的转变。)

Come to grips with
Example: It took years for the country to come to grips with the consequences of the war.
(这个国家花了多年时间才真正应对战争的后果。)

Take a stand on
Example: The organization took a strong stand on environmental protection.
(该组织在环保问题上采取了坚定的立场。)

Take into consideration
Example: You must take into consideration the cultural differences when working abroad.
(在国外工作时，必须考虑文化差异。)

Be held accountable for
Example: The CEO will be held accountable for the company’s financial mismanagement.
(首席执行官将对公司的财务管理不善负责。)

Set in motion
Example: The announcement set in motion a series of political changes.
(这一声明引发了一系列政治变革。)

Come to an agreement on
Example: The two countries finally came to an agreement on trade regulations.
(两国最终就贸易规定达成协议。)

Make a breakthrough in
Example: Scientists have made a breakthrough in cancer research.
(科学家在癌症研究方面取得了突破。)

Put forward a proposal
Example: The committee has put forward a proposal for improving the health system.
(委员会提出了一项改善健康系统的提案。)

Be at odds with
Example: His opinion is at odds with the rest of the team on this matter.
(他的观点在这个问题上与团队其他成员不一致。)

Have far-reaching implications
Example: The new law will have far-reaching implications for the economy.
(这项新法律将对经济产生深远的影响。)

Hold the key to
Example: Education holds the key to solving many of the world’s problems.
(教育是解决许多世界问题的关键。)

Be at the forefront of
Example: The company is at the forefront of technological innovation.
(该公司处于科技创新的前沿。)

Lead the way in
Example: The city is leading the way in sustainable urban development.
(这座城市在可持续城市发展方面处于领先地位。)

Put an end to
Example: The new law aims to put an end to discrimination in the workplace.
(这项新法律旨在终结职场中的歧视现象。)

Take a back seat to
Example: In recent years, environmental concerns have taken a back seat to economic growth.
(近年来，经济增长已使环境问题退居次要地位。)

Get to the heart of
Example: The speaker’s argument really got to the heart of the issue.
(演讲者的论点真正触及了问题的核心。)

Be in the midst of
Example: The country is in the midst of a major economic crisis.
(该国正处于一场重大的经济危机之中。)

Be on the horizon
Example: A new era of technological innovation is on the horizon.
(一个科技创新的新纪元即将到来。)

Take a leaf out of someone’s book
Example: We should take a leaf out of their book and adopt similar policies.
(我们应该借鉴他们的方法，采取类似的政策。)

Set one’s sights on
Example: The company has set its sights on expanding into new international markets.
(公司将目光投向了开拓新的国际市场。)

Bring something to a halt
Example: The strike brought production to a halt.
(罢工使得生产停止了。)

Be in the spotlight
Example: The new government policy is now in the spotlight.
(新政府政策现在处于聚光灯下。)

Get a taste of
Example: The young athlete got a taste of international competition at the championship.
(这位年轻运动员在锦标赛中体验到了国际竞争的氛围。)

Give someone a run for their money
Example: The new competitor is giving the market leader a run for their money.
(新的竞争者正在给市场领导者带来挑战。)

Take a stand against
Example: The organization took a stand against the use of child labor.
(该组织反对使用童工。)

Be in the driver’s seat
Example: The CEO is now in the driver’s seat, overseeing the company’s future direction.
(首席执行官现在掌握了主导权，负责监督公司未来的方向。)

Go hand in hand with
Example: Economic growth and technological progress often go hand in hand.
(经济增长和技术进步常常是相辅相成的。)

Come to the fore
Example: New leadership is coming to the fore in the company.
(新领导层正在公司中崭露头角。)

See eye to eye with
Example: I see eye to eye with my colleagues on most of the issues.
(我和同事们在大多数问题上意见一致。)

Keep someone on their toes
Example: The ever-changing market conditions keep businesses on their toes.
(不断变化的市场环境让企业时刻保持警觉。)

Take a firm stance on
Example: The government has taken a firm stance on combating corruption.
(政府在打击腐败问题上采取了坚定立场。)

Make no bones about
Example: She made no bones about her intentions to improve the project.
(她毫不掩饰自己改善项目的意图。)

Fall into place
Example: Once the project plan was finalized, everything fell into place.
(一旦项目计划敲定，一切就变得有条不紊。)

Leave much to be desired
Example: The quality of customer service at the hotel left much to be desired.
(酒店的客户服务质量还有很大提升空间。)

Set the tone for
Example: The opening speech set the tone for the entire conference.
(开场演讲为整个会议定下了基调。)

Take someone to task
Example: The manager took the team to task for missing the deadline.
(经理因为团队未能按时完成任务而责备了他们。)

Bring someone to justice
Example: The authorities promised to bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
(当局承诺将把那些对袭击负责的人绳之以法。)

Be caught up in
Example: She was caught up in the excitement of the event.
(她被活动的激动气氛感染了。)

Stand in stark contrast to
Example: The new building stands in stark contrast to the old town architecture.
(新建筑与老城区的建筑风格形成鲜明对比。)

Be bound by
Example: We are bound by the rules to ensure fairness.
(为了确保公平，我们必须遵守规则。)

Keep pace with
Example: It’s crucial for businesses to keep pace with technological advancements.
(企业跟上技术进步是至关重要的。)

Come to the conclusion that
Example: After extensive research, the scientists came to the conclusion that the theory was correct.
(经过广泛研究，科学家们得出结论，认为该理论是正确的。)

Be in jeopardy
Example: The company’s future is in jeopardy due to the recent financial losses.
(由于近期的财务损失，公司未来的前景岌岌可危。)

Take pride in
Example: The country takes pride in its rich cultural heritage.
(这个国家以其丰富的文化遗产为荣。)

Fall short of expectations
Example: The new software fell short of expectations in terms of performance.
(新软件在性能方面未达到预期。)

Turn a blind eye to
Example: The government turned a blind eye to the growing inequality in the country.
(政府对国内日益加剧的不平等视而不见。)

Lead to a deadlock
Example: The conflicting views led to a deadlock in the negotiations.
(冲突的观点导致了谈判的僵局。)

Bring someone up to speed on
Example: The manager brought the new team member up to speed on the project.
(经理向新团队成员介绍了项目的最新情况。)

Be a case in point
Example: The recent decision by the committee is a case in point for effective leadership.
(委员会的最新决定正是有效领导的一个典型例子。)

Take a back seat
Example: In the project, she decided to take a back seat and let others lead.
(在这个项目中，她决定退居二线，让其他人领导。)

Do the heavy lifting
Example: The manager did most of the heavy lifting during the project.
(经理在项目中承担了大部分艰巨的任务。)

Bear fruit
Example: After years of research, their efforts finally bore fruit.
(经过多年的研究，他们的努力终于有了成果。)

Take the initiative to
Example: She took the initiative to resolve the conflict between the two departments.
(她主动解决了两个部门之间的冲突。)

Bring something into the spotlight
Example: The documentary brought the issue of homelessness into the spotlight.
(这部纪录片使无家可归问题成为焦点。)

Keep a low profile
Example: The celebrity has kept a low profile since the scandal.
(自从丑闻发生后，这位名人一直保持低调。)

Stand the test of time
Example: The classic novel has stood the test of time.
(这本经典小说经得起时间的考验。)

Take someone to task
Example: The teacher took the student to task for not completing the assignment.
(老师责备了那个没有完成作业的学生。)

Make light of
Example: She made light of the serious consequences of the decision.
(她对这个决定的严重后果轻描淡写。)

Take it upon oneself to
Example: He took it upon himself to fix the issue with the website.
(他主动解决了网站的问题。)

Come down to
Example: The success of the project comes down to careful planning and execution.
(项目的成功归结于周密的计划和执行。)

Turn the tide on
Example: The new law could turn the tide on climate change.
(新法律可能会改变气候变化的趋势。)

Go above and beyond
Example: The team went above and beyond to complete the task on time.
(团队超出了预期，按时完成了任务。)

Take someone by surprise
Example: The sudden resignation of the CEO took everyone by surprise.
(首席执行官的突然辞职让每个人都感到吃惊。)

Be driven by
Example: The company is driven by its commitment to sustainability.
(公司由其对可持续发展的承诺驱动。)

Make something out of
Example: She managed to make something out of the difficult situation.
(她设法在困境中做出了一些成绩。)

Be prone to
Example: The region is prone to natural disasters due to its geographic location.
(该地区由于地理位置的原因容易发生自然灾害。)

Bring something to fruition
Example: The long-term project was finally brought to fruition after years of effort.
(经过多年的努力，长期项目终于取得了成果。)

Take something with a grain of salt
Example: You should take those rumors with a grain of salt until you get confirmation.
(在得到确认之前，你应该对那些谣言保持怀疑态度。)

Fall into disrepair
Example: The old building has fallen into disrepair over the years.
(这座老建筑多年来已经破旧不堪。)

Make something of a difference
Example: Small changes can make a big difference in the long run.
(长期来看，微小的变化能够带来巨大差异。)

Make strides toward
Example: The country is making strides toward reducing its carbon emissions.
(这个国家正在朝着减少碳排放的目标迈出步伐。)

Play a pivotal role in
Example: The scientist played a pivotal role in the development of the vaccine.
(这位科学家在疫苗的开发中起到了关键作用。)

Come under fire
Example: The teacher came under fire for his controversial comments.
(这位老师因其争议性言论遭到批评。)

Be in the same boat
Example: We are all in the same boat, trying to survive the economic crisis together.
(我们都在同一条船上，正一起努力度过经济危机。)