ground rule
The basic rules or standards; basic principles.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We need to set a ground rule for this game.”
“Before the meeting started, the manager established a ground rule that everyone must listen without interrupting.”
“The committee established a firm ground rule that all future negotiations must remain transparent and respectful to ensure a productive outcome for both parties.”
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as a rule
In general; most often.
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bright-line rule
A clear-cut rule, so that it is easy to make a decision.
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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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facts on the ground
The situation in reality as opposed to in the abstract.
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from the ground up
From the beginning; starting with the basics, foundation, or fundamentals.
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get off the ground
To succeed or begin to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026