/prɪ'peə(r); prɪ`pɛr/
v
1 [I, Ipr, Tn, Tn.pr, Cn.t] ~ (sb/sth) (for sb/sth) get or make (sb/sth) ready 使（某人）有准备; 把（某事物）准备好; 预备
*I had no time in which to prepare. 我已来不及做准备了.
* prepare for trouble 准备应付麻烦事
* prepare a meal, ie get food ready to be eaten 预备饭菜
* have everything prepared beforehand 事先把一切都准备好
* prepare children for an examination 指导儿童准备考试
* The troops were being prepared for battle/to go into battle. 部队已作好战斗准备[已准备好投入战斗].
2 (idm 习语) be prepared for sth be ready for sth (esp sth unpleasant) 对某事物（尤指令人不愉快者）作好准备
*I knew there were problems, but I was not prepared for this! 我知道有些问题, 却未料到这一点!
* She was prepared for anything to happen. 她已准备好应付一切. be prepared to do sth be able and willing to do sth 能够 并愿意做某事
*I am prepared to lend you the money if you promise to pay it back. 我愿意把钱借给你, 你得答应还给我.
* I am not prepared to stay and listen to these outrageous insults. 我可不愿意在这儿受这种奇耻大辱. prepare the ground (for sth) make it possible or easier to develop sth 为发展某事物准备了条件
*Early experiments with military rockets prepared the ground for space travel. 早期进行的军用火箭试验为宇航事业的发展打下了基础.
3 (phr v) prepare sb for sth cause sb to expect sth (esp sth unpleasant) 使某人对某事物（尤指令人不愉快者）有所准备
*Prepare yourself for a nasty shock! 有件令人十分震惊的事, 你要有所准备!

v

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1【make something】
2【make plans/arrangements】
3【make something ready】
4【make yourself ready】
5【make somebody ready】
6 prepare the way/ground for somebody/something

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[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French;Origin: préparer, from Latin praeparare, from parare 'to get, prepare']
【MAKE SOMETHING】 [T]
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.
【MAKE PLANS/ARRANGEMENTS】 [I and T]
to make plans or arrangements for something that will happen in the future
= get ready prepare for
　The 45 year-old explorer has been preparing for his latest expedition to the Arctic.
prepare to do sth
　Her parents were busy preparing to go on holiday.
　The prosecution wanted more time to prepare their case.
【MAKE SOMETHING READY】 [T]
to make something ready to be used
　Prepare the soil, then plant the seedlings 8 inches apart.
prepare sth for sb/sth
　Coulthard's team were up all night preparing the car for the race.
【MAKE YOURSELF READY】 [T]
to make yourself mentally or physically ready for something that you expect to happen soon
prepare yourself (for sth)
　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 sth
　Buy the album, and prepare to be amazed.
【MAKE SOMEBODY READY】 [T]
to provide someone with the training, skills, experience etc that they will need to do a job or to deal with a situation
prepare sb for sth
　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?
prepare the way/ground for sb/sth
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.

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HINT sense 1
It is fairly formal to say that someone prepares a meal. It is more usual to say that they make or cook a meal: Bella was making dinner.

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