give ground

Idioms

Yield to a stronger force, retreat, as in He began to give ground on that point, although he didn't stop arguing entirely. This expression originated in the 1500s, when it alluded to a military force retreating and so giving up territory to the enemy. By the mid-1600s it was being used figuratively.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, the notable absence of Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang on the trip could suggest the U.S. is less likely to give ground on technology restrictions.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

The Chinese statements on his meetings in Beijing this week didn’t appear to give ground on the issues that divide the EU and China.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2024

Did the SFA give ground on some of the points raised?

From BBC • Sep. 14, 2023

That will make it hard for her to give ground in the dispute with Brussels.

From New York Times • Sep. 3, 2022

Both Walt and Billie are tightly wound, emotional, loath to give ground.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

give ground

Example Sentences

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