lose ground


Fail to hold one's position; fall behind, deteriorate. For example, The Democrats were losing ground in this district, or We thought Grandma was getting better, but now she's quickly losing ground. This expression originally referred to territory lost by a retreating army. [Second half of 1700s]

Words Nearby lose ground

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

How to use lose ground in a sentence

  • They came on as fast as ever, while our movement had checked our flight somewhat and caused us to lose ground perceptibly.

    In Hostile Red | Joseph Altsheler
  • The Bohemian began to lose ground in the highest courts of justice; gradually it was forced out from the inferior courts.

  • I suppose they didn't want to lose ground by yawing, but as they came abreast of us they both opened fire.

  • The savages also, frightened by the noise of the cannon rather than their execution, commenced to lose ground.