prepare the ground
To carry out any preliminary work that will enable something to occur.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We must prepare the ground before we start the garden.”
“The manager held several private meetings to prepare the ground for the new company policy.”
“By publishing a series of influential articles, the activist successfully prepared the ground for the upcoming legislative reforms.”
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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.
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go to ground
To hide from public view or sequester oneself, especially when authorities, members of the news media, or others are looking for one.
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ground ball with eyes
A weakly hit ground ball that barely evades the infielders.
Last updated August 10, 2026