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

Though the neutral ground of Geneva is well used to hosting international negotiations on the world's most pressing topics, two sets of such talks on the same day is an exceptional sight.

From Barron's

“But our game is sport. That means keeping sport a neutral ground. A place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments.”

From Los Angeles Times

Although not directly referencing Russia and Belarus, Coventry hinted that they could be reinstated for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, saying sport should be "neutral ground".

From BBC

"We understand politics and we know we don't operate in a vacuum. But our game is sport. That means keeping sport a neutral ground, a place where every athlete can compete without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments."

From Barron's

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