stamping ground

(old) stamping ground

A favorite place where one used to frequent; a location where one used to spend a lot of time. It's been a long time since I've been back to this old stamping ground by the lake! After the reunion, everyone from the old gang of friends went to our stamping ground, just like we used to do back in high school.
See also: ground, stamp
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stamping ground

Also, old stamping ground. A habitual or favorite haunt, as in Whenever we visit, we go back to our old stamping ground, the drugstore nearest the high school . This term alludes to a traditional gathering place for horses or cattle, which stamp down the ground with their hooves. [Early 1800s]
See also: ground, stamp
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

stamping ground

BRITISH or

stomping ground

If a place is someone's stamping ground or stomping ground, it is where they spend a lot of time. I'm a West End man, myself. Park Lane, Knightsbridge, Piccadilly and Bond Street are my favourite stamping grounds. Former pals also found her much changed at Christmas, when she made a brief return to her old stamping ground, the Blue Anchor pub in South London. Note: This expression may refer to the way that stallions stamp while mating. Alternatively, it may come from the dances of male prairie chickens when they gather in spring in order to mate.
See also: ground, stamp
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

stamping ground

and stomping ground
n. one’s favorite or customary location. I like to go back and look at my old stamping ground every now and then.
See also: ground, stamp
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • (old) stamping ground
  • (one's) old stamping ground
  • (one's) old stomping ground
  • (old) stomping ground
  • at one time
  • at a time
  • (it's) (a)bout time
  • about time
  • a home from home
  • at one time or another
References in periodicals archive
NICK SCHOLFIELD is returning to an old stamping ground today when Bicton Arena near Exeter in Devon hosts its annual charity challenge in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Scholfield in IJF annual challenge
STUART HOLDEN will be given special treatment on his Bolton comeback - with the club giving him his old stamping ground for the special occasion.
Holden to be Reebok hero
But Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is convinced the wild child has now grown up and is ready to make his mark on the top flight - starting at his old stamping ground today.
HERE COMES TROUBLE! So wild even Fergie couldn't tame him ...now Ravel's back to cause MORE bother at Old Trafford
I recently left the North during the hours of darkness for a few days in my old stamping ground of Portsmouth so did not see any of our infamous windmills, Daylight down south!
Power comes from North; Views of the North
So instead of grappling with mild hysteria at the next appearance of the ghost I was instead gripped by spotting key locations in my old stamping ground including the entrance hall, sixth form staircase and head's office (a scarier place than Crickley Hall).
An old school fright night
Hopefully Ravensknowle Park next - my old stamping ground.
Amazing park; MAILBAG
FORMER Atherstone Town goal machine Roy Dunkley could be returning to his former stamping ground should the current management team entice the striker away from Dosthill Colts.
Adders move in for fans' favourite Roy
SAM HAMMAM is involved in talks about a sensational move back to his old Cardiff City stamping ground.
Hammam shock City return?
WJ Lloyd and 'Big' John Williams collecting ex-Corris rails from the Talyllyn railway at Abergynolwyn Engine no 5 assisting with the unloading of engine no 6 among shale and slate waste in May 1982 Buffers are fixed to carriage no 21, while Steve Wheeler adjusts access ramps, on June 6 2003 New signal cabin at Maes-poeth, being built in 1998 Members and well-wishers of the Corris Railway Society, dressed for the gala occasion on June 7 2003 Ex-Corris no 4, now of the Talyllyn Railway, returned briefly to its old stamping ground to celebrate its 75th birthday.
flashBACK; Corris Railway
Tottenham's win ended Green's run of three clean sheets but ensured another successful return to Upton Park for Redknapp, who was West Ham boss between 1994 and 2001 and has never lost on his old stamping ground as a visiting manager.
King ends long drought
We won another spectacular victory in Birmingham, giving us three of the council seats in Sparkbrook, the old stamping ground of Roy Hattersley.
I'm sunk by might of Right
WHETHER you are a diehard magpie or a proud smoggy, King Kev's return as manager of Boro's big rival could be good news for the Teesside property market if Wynyard's famous former resident comes back to his old stamping ground.
Homes fit for a King Kev
TEENAGE hitman Richard Brodie returns to his former stamping ground tonight when York City travel to Newcastle Benfield for a pre-season friendly at Sam Smith's Park (7.30pm).
SOCCER In Brief: York clash
Edwards, who returns to his old stamping ground at Kenilworth Road, said: "It's very unfair for the lads to walk away empty-handed on the day."
Football: CARLOS WANTS SILVER SERVICE
Christian Roberts scored a second-half goal for the visitors but Wilson had to leave his old stamping ground empty-handed.
FOOTBALL: No hand of friendship from Tykes; FA CUP