lose ground
To suffer loss or disadvantage; to experience a setback.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Our team is starting to lose ground in the race.”
“The company began to lose ground to its competitors after failing to update its technology.”
“As the economic crisis deepened, the small business began to lose ground, eventually struggling to maintain its market share against larger, more stable corporations.”
- 01
be someone's to lose
To be anticipated to be won by someone.
- 02
common ground
A characteristic or interest shared by multiple people or systems; any belief, etc. held in common.
- 03
ear to the ground
The practice or characteristic of carefully gathering information; a state or mindset of attentiveness.
- 04
eyes on the ground
One or more observers in an area of interest.
- 05
facts on the ground
The situation in reality as opposed to in the abstract.
- 06
fight a losing battle
To attempt a task or other endeavor in which there is no chance that it will succeed.
- 07
from the ground up
From the beginning; starting with the basics, foundation, or fundamentals.
- 08
get off the ground
To succeed or begin to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026