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Influence & Involvement - The Reason Why

Explore English idioms regarding the reason why with examples like "for the sake of it" and "pave the way for".

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English idioms related to Influence & Involvement
one thing [lead] to another

used when one wants to explain how a series of events made something happen without giving away many details

Ex: We started talking, one thing led to another, and now we're planning a trip together. 
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to [open] the floodgates

(of an action or decision) to allow for many possibilities, particularly those that were previously unavailable

Ex: The new law opened the floodgates for small businesses to sell online. 
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to [pave] the way (for|to) {sth}

to create a situation in which it is easier for one to do something or for something to happen

Ex: The pilot program paved the way for nationwide reform. 
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to [be] at the bottom of {sth}

to be the direct cause of something, particularly something unpleasant

Ex: Money problems were at the bottom of most of their arguments. 
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to [be] down to {sb/sth}

to be heavily dependent on someone or something

Ex: The whole project is down to whether the funding comes through. 
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for the sake of it

with no particular or apparent reason

Ex: Don't argue for the sake of it. 
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to [put] {one's} finger on {sth}

to figure out why things are the way they are and be able to identify the reason

Ex: I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on it. 
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where the shoe [pinch]

used to refer to where the all the trouble comes from or where things get difficult

Ex: We know sales are falling; now we need to find where the shoe pinches. 
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the finger of (suspicion|blame)

the strong belief of someone being responsible for or guilty of something

Ex: The finger of suspicion quickly pointed at the former manager. 
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a chicken and egg situation

a situation in which one finds it impossible to determine which one of two things is responsible for the occurrence of another or existed before the other one did

Ex: Finding a job without experience is a chicken and egg situation. 
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to [point] the finger at {sb}

to blame someone or hold them accountable for something bad that has happened

Ex: Everyone pointed the finger at the new employee when the files went missing. 
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to [set] the stage for {sth}

to do something that makes it possible or easier for something else to occur

Ex: The early talks set the stage for a formal agreement. 
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to [sow|plant] the seeds of {sth}

to cause the development of a particular idea or feeling

Ex: That first conversation planted the seeds of doubt in her mind. 
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