neutral ground

American  

noun

Gulf States.

1. a median strip on a highway or boulevard, especially one planted with grass.

2. the strip of grass between a street and sidewalk.

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Etymology

Origin of neutral ground

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

This instability created lawless zones such as the “neutral ground” of Bergen County in northeast New Jersey and the Pine Barrens in the south, where hardened “banditti” flourished.

From The Wall Street Journal

On the other, Southeast Asia stands to gain from manufacturing and investment relocation, as firms look for neutral ground.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now, these AFC West foes meet on neutral ground to resume what hasn’t been much of a rivalry of late.

From Los Angeles Times

But not everybody sees the Hungarian capital as sufficiently neutral ground.

From BBC

Sources say talk of a neutral ground, say in the north, is easy to mention but difficult to organise because April is a busy period for Premier League clubs who might host the semi-finals.

From BBC