aid, blaze the trail, break the ice, cultivate the soil, ease, expedite, explain, facilitate, go in advance, grease, grease the ways, grease the wheels, hasten, help along, lay the foundation, lay the groundwork, loose, lubricate, make clear, make way for, oil, open the way, open up, pave the way, prepare the way, quicken, remove friction, run interference for, simplify, smooth, smooth the way, soap the ways, sow the seed, speed, unbar, unblock, unclog, unjam