gain ground

1. gain ground on or upon . Encroach on, advance at the expense of. For example, Door-to-door canvassing helped them gain ground on the opposition .

2. Advance, make progress; also, win acceptance. For example, The new conservation policy is gaining ground among the voters . This expression alludes to a military advance in which an army literally takes territory from the enemy. Its figurative use dates from about 1800. For an antonym, see lose ground .

Example Sentences

As a result, the theory that false accusations were the real problem soon began to gain ground.

From The Daily Beast

Knox and Sollecito have a good chance to gain ground in their appeal cases.

From The Daily Beast

By little and little the enthusiasm will gain ground, and, when the moment shall have come, the insurrection will break out anew.

From Project Gutenberg

In the meantime the "Sketch Book" had continued to gain ground in England.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile Arthur Beaufort's malady continued to gain ground rapidly.

From Project Gutenberg

We must gain ground first, and with these chains on our feet, we shant go far.

From Project Gutenberg

Letters are there held in no honour: Scotsmen are hated: superstition and ignorance gain ground daily.

From Project Gutenberg