facts on the ground
The situation in reality as opposed to in the abstract.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We must look at the facts on the ground before deciding.”
“The government's official report ignores the facts on the ground that local residents face every day.”
“Diplomats often struggle to reconcile their theoretical peace proposals with the harsh facts on the ground in the conflict zone.”
A back-formation from the verb phrase to put facts on the ground.
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brass Tacks
[Cockney slang]facts
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common ground
A characteristic or interest shared by multiple people or systems; any belief, etc. held in common.
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ear to the ground
The practice or characteristic of carefully gathering information; a state or mindset of attentiveness.
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eyes on the ground
One or more observers in an area of interest.
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fact is
actually, in truth
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fact of life
Something that cannot be avoided; a stark reality of existence.
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for a fact
Without doubt.
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French fact
The presence of French Canada as a distinct cultural, linguistic, and political force within the Canadian Confederation.
Last updated August 10, 2026