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.
Africa's richest man was set to break ground on a new $16-billion mega-refinery in Kenya on Wednesday that he says will mark a vital step towards the continent's self-sufficiency in fuel.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
Developer plans to break ground in September on a master-planned community to include 7,200 homes, offices and parks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
“Starting this summer, the West Gateway project will break ground and by summer 2028, over 12 million tons of clean beautiful coal per year will be shipped to countries all around the world,” Trump said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026
Goucher will earn $7.5 million by leasing land to the neighboring senior-living community, which will break ground this fall on an expansion, bringing its total population from 400 to around 600 by 2028.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
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
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
