N-SING (计划、活动等开始之前需要做的)艰苦枯燥的准备工作The spadework is the uninteresting work that has to be done as preparation before you can start a project or activity. (计划、活动等开始之前需要做的)艰苦枯燥的准备工作
It is now that the spadework has to be done to lay firm foundations for later success.