ENGLISH
REFERENCE

put in the ground

idiom
Meaning

To kill.


Examples
SIMPLE

The dangerous criminal threatened to put his enemy in the ground.

CONTEXTUAL

In the old western movie, the outlaw warned the sheriff that he would put him in the ground before sunset.

COMPLEX

The ruthless warlord declared that any soldier who dared to betray his cause would be put in the ground without a moment of hesitation.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    common ground

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

  2. 02

    ear to the ground

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

  3. 03

    eyes on the ground

    One or more observers in an area of interest.

  4. 04

    facts on the ground

    The situation in reality as opposed to in the abstract.

  5. 05

    from the ground up

    From the beginning; starting with the basics, foundation, or fundamentals.

  6. 06

    get off the ground

    To succeed or begin to succeed.

  7. 07

    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.

  8. 08

    ground ball with eyes

    A weakly hit ground ball that barely evades the infielders.

Last updated April 17, 2026