break ground
Idioms-
Also, break new ground.
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Begin digging into the earth for new construction of some kind. For example, When will they break ground for the town hall? This usage alludes to breaking up the land with a plow. [Early 1700s]
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Take the first steps for a new venture; advance beyond previous achievements. For example, Jeff is breaking new ground in intellectual property law . [Early 1700s]
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.
Aluminum makers EGA and Century plan to break ground this year on a facility that would more than double U.S. smelting capacity.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
The company expects to break ground on new developments worth between $4 billion and $5 billion this year, with data centers accounting for approximately 40% of the projected value.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026
Lawmakers know that most of these sites break ground long before the public even hears about them.
From Salon • Dec. 28, 2025
Azoff also said on Bloomberg TV said the Abu Dhabi Sphere would break ground around Jan. 1, 2026.
From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025
Because tobacco seeds require loads of water for them to break ground, many farmers plant nursery beds by the dambos where they can easily water them daily.
From "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
