English Reference
Idiom idiom

get off the ground


To succeed or begin to succeed.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The new project is struggling to get off the ground.

CONTEXTUAL

We need more funding before this business idea can really get off the ground.

COMPLEX

Despite the team's tireless efforts and significant investment, the ambitious startup failed to get off the ground in such a competitive market.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as it gets

    As it is possible to be.

  2. 02

    been there, done that, got the T-shirt

    Alternative form of been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

  3. 03

    can't get enough

    Greatly enjoys; likes a lot.

  4. 04

    cat got someone's tongue

    Why is someone not saying anything?

  5. 05

    common ground

    A characteristic or interest shared by multiple people or systems; any belief, etc. held in common.

  6. 06

    could not get elected dogcatcher

    Said of someone, particularly a politician, who is extremely unpopular.

  7. 07

    don't get someone started

    Used to attempt to avoid or abbreviate a discussion that speaker or hearer may wish to avoid.

  8. 08

    ear to the ground

    The practice or characteristic of carefully gathering information; a state or mindset of attentiveness.

Last updated August 10, 2026