give ground

1. Yield to a stronger force, retreat, as in He began to give ground on that point, although he didn't stop arguing entirely. This expression originated in the 1500s, when it alluded to a military force retreating and so giving up territory to the enemy. By the mid-1600s it was being used figuratively.

Example Sentences

While Democrats want to give ground on transgender issues for perceived political expediency, there’s no reason to think that the administration will stop there.

From Slate

At this point, Russia is under no major pressure to give ground: all Donald Trump's talk of punishing Putin for his intransigence has turned into talk of trade with Russia.

From BBC

Unable to deliver legislation on their own because of a razor-thin majority and the refusal of those on the right to give ground, House Republicans had no choice but to break with their fringe members and join with Democrats if they wanted to accomplish much of anything, including bolstering Ukraine in its war against Russia.

From New York Times

The Chinese statements on his meetings in Beijing this week didn’t appear to give ground on the issues that divide the EU and China.

From Seattle Times

If the SFA didn't give ground, then what significant inroads were made in the hours it took to reach a resolution?

From BBC

Related Words

• abandon 
• back down 
• back off 
• backtrack 
• depart 
• escape 
• evacuate 
• fall back 
• go 
• go back 
• hide 
• leave 
• pull out 
• recede 
• reel 
• retire 
• reverse 
• shrink 
• withdraw