Phrase guide

on the ground

prep_phrase · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

In an area (location) of interest or active operations, versus outside that area (and especially, far away from it).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • You might feel differently about this policy if you were on the ground in a war zone.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: in the field, on the spot, on location, in situ

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

In the daily life of the general public, or at least in that of some group of people who aren't out-of-touch elites.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: on the street, in the streets, in reality, in the real world
  • Evidently, senior management has no idea how things get done by those of us on the ground.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: on the street, in the streets, in reality, real world

Antonyms: none provided

3

prep_phrase

Meaning 3

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on, the, ground.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I'm still surprised that I found a hundred-dollar bill just lying on the ground.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.