2PREP-PHRASE 在…之前;为…做准备 If one action is done preparatory to another, it is done before the other action, usually as preparation for it. 在…之前;为…做准备 [formal]
Sloan cleared his throat preparatory to speaking. [+ to]
斯隆清了清嗓子,准备讲话。
She lit the oven, preparatory to putting the pie into it.