lead up to

英 [liːd ʌp tu]

美 [liːd ʌp tu]

（一系列事件）导致，致使，引致; （时间）临近，紧挨在…之前; （把谈话）引向（某个话题）

柯林斯词典

See also:Alan Tomlinson has reconstructed the events that led up to the deaths...They had a series of arguments, leading up to a decision to separate.lead-up
PHRASAL VERB （时间）临近，紧挨在…之前
The period of timeleading up toan event is the period of time immediately before it happens.
1. ...the weeks leading up to Christmas.
  圣诞节前的几个星期
PHRASAL VERB （把谈话）引向（某个话题）
If someoneleads up toa particular subject, they gradually guide a conversation to a point where they can introduce it.
1. I'm leading up to something quite important.
  我正要谈到相当重要的部分。