ENGLISH
REFERENCE

make ground

idiom
Meaning

gain ground; make progress.


Examples
SIMPLE

We are finally making ground on this difficult project.

CONTEXTUAL

The team worked through the night and started to make ground against their competitors in the market.

COMPLEX

Despite the harsh weather conditions and difficult terrain, the explorers continued to make ground toward their destination.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    absence makes the heart grow fonder

    One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.

  2. 02

    cannot make it

    Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.

  3. 03

    common ground

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

  4. 04

    doctors make the worst patients

    It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.

  5. 05

    ear to the ground

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

  6. 06

    enough to make a cat laugh

    Very outlandish or outrageous.

  7. 07

    enough to make the angels weep

    Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.

  8. 08

    eyes on the ground

    One or more observers in an area of interest.

Last updated April 17, 2026