grass roots

plural noun

1. 1. the ordinary people as distinct from the active leadership of a party or organization: used esp of the rank-and-file members of a political party, or of the voters themselves

   2. ( as modifier )

      the newly elected MP expressed a wish for greater contact with people at grass-roots level

2. the origin or essentials

Word History and Origins

Origin of grass roots¹

C20: sense 1 originally US, with reference to rural areas in contrast to the towns