from the ground up

Idioms  

1. From the very beginning; also, completely, thoroughly. For example, We've had to learn a new system from the ground up, or The company changed all of the forms from the ground up. This expression alludes to the construction of a house, which begins with the foundation.

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Example Sentences

He said he had "put forward a different way of doing things that's more local - work from the ground up".

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Most, including Lewis, are in various stages of grappling with insurance, permits and construction, whether they have to rebuild from the ground up or salvage their homes by remediating damage caused by toxic smoke.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Instructors say bosses often relish letting employees climb on them, embracing a rare chance to support the team from the ground up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

"Over the last nine months, Meta Superintelligence Labs rebuilt our AI stack from the ground up," the tech titan said in a blog post.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

For a man who had built his fortune from the ground up and seen it demolished overnight, he had been so hopeful.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros