leading up to (something)

Roads, paths, sidewalks, stairs, etc. sometimes "lead to" somewhere. That means that, if you follow them, you will eventually reach that place.

Here's an example of how to use "lead to":

The path behind the house leads to a small river.

You can also use the phrases "lead up to" and "lead down to" when the destination is higher or lower than the starting point.

That road there leads up to a beautiful waterfall near the top of the mountain.

And when you're describing the destination, you can say that the path "leads up to it".

The sidewalk leading up to the house is lined with beautiful flowers and palm trees.

This phrase appears in these lessons: