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

Justin Herbert is starting from the ground up in Mike McDaniel’s new-look Chargers offense.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

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

After spending decades and roughly $14 million buying, gutting, and selling properties, the Tulsa couple is now enjoying their ninth home—one they built from the ground up.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

"Everything has to be reviewed from the ground up with one objective: zero tolerance."

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

This was my first chance ever, really, to build something basically from the ground up: Success or failure would depend almost entirely on my efforts, not those of my boss or anyone else.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama