give ground

Related to give ground: loose end, in the first place, On a par, give rise to, in line with, pat on the back, rubbing shoulders

give (one's) ground

To yield or submit (to someone or something). Troops, we cannot give our ground to the enemy! The committee wants me to approach this project differently, but I refuse to give my ground.
See also: give, ground
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

give ground

 
1. Lit. to retreat, yielding land or territory. I approached the barking dog, but it wouldn't give ground.
2. Fig. to "retreat" from an idea or assertion that one has made. When I argue with Mary, she never gives ground.
See also: give, ground
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

give ground

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.
See also: give, ground
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

give/lose ˈground (to somebody/something)

allow somebody/something to obtain more power, influence, etc. than yourself: The government has lost ground to the opposition, according to the opinion polls.
See also: give, ground, lose
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

give ground

To yield to a more powerful force; retreat.
See also: give, ground
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • give (one's) ground
  • give (one) the works
  • don't give (something) a second thought
  • (Can I) give you a lift?
  • all in, be
  • be all in
  • give it a burl
  • give anything (for something)
  • give (one) a fresh start
  • give (one) static
References in periodicals archive
Conservative former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine said that there was no need for Mr Cameron to give ground to the Lib-Dems on reform of the electoral system.
BACKBENCHERS DEMAND NEW LEADER FOR LABOUR
Although unemployment has reached 2.46 million so far, this is lower than first feared as workers give ground on pay and hours to avoid even more savage cutbacks.
Half UK companies are planning pay freeze, says CBI
The row has again put Mr Brown under pressure from Labour MPs who forced him this month to give ground over the abolition of the 10p rate of income tax.
Car tax climbdown facing embattled PM
They stood in front of each other and unloaded heavy shots and neither was willing to give ground in a ferocious battle of wills.
Boxing: McCluskey earns praise
Home Secretary Charles Clarke was coming under intense pressure today to give ground on his controversial new anti-terrorism powers as the measure faces its final Commons hurdle.
Bill set for new attack
But he was not expected to give ground over the principle of an increased role for private firms in areas such as the NHS.
Blair's pledge to TUC
Swing: Check LB, then give ground immediately (2 yards) running a slightly bowed course - use speed on first 5 steps, then come under control, turning your numbers to the QB - be ready to adjust to the ball.
Dropback passing: patterns, routes, protection
Forward pressure saw Caerphilly give ground and Scott Eggar, playing his first game of the season at No.8, dived full-length for a try that gave the home team a commanding lead for the first time.
HAMM-ERED!; Treorchy 31 Caerphilly 16
To break the deadlock Davis may have to give ground on Britain's financial obligations.
Always going to be tough but early spat is worrying
Mr Brown has already been forced to give ground and accept that evidence sessions will be held in public, having originally announced that they would be conducted behind closed doors.
Inquiry will have power to blame
HEALTH Secretary Alan Johnson last week refused to give ground over calls for a cancer patient on Teesside to be allowed to pay for top-up drugs without having her NHS treatment stopped.
Government policy defended
Chief executive Sandy Crombie told shareholders individual workers could be represented how they wished - but refused to give ground on collective bargaining.
IT'S A HARD LIFE; Union blast finance giants
But Home Secretary Charles Clarke last night refused to give ground on the plan.
Blair refuses to back down on terror Bill
HOME Secretary Charles Clarke today accused the House of Lords of ``digging in its heels'' after again refusing to give ground over the Government's controversial antiterrorism powers.
Clarke fury after Lords dig in over terror bill