thin on the ground

Related to thin on the ground: defer to, come to fruition

thin on the ground

Not plentiful or abundant; scarce. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. That type of bird is thin on the ground these days—I hope it's not going extinct.
See also: ground, on, thin
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

thin on the ground

BRITISH
COMMON If people or things are thin on the ground, there are very few of them. Good players are thin on the ground and clubs are having to recruit abroad. Yacht facilities are a bit thin on the ground in the remote Falkland Islands.
See also: ground, on, thin
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

thick/thin on the ˈground

(British English) if people or things are thick/thin on the ground, there are a lot/not many of them in a place: Customers are thin on the ground at this time of year. Good science teachers are thin on the ground.
See also: ground, on, thick, thin
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be not much cop
  • hope not
  • (I) hope not
  • not for a second
  • not for a minute
  • not for a moment
  • aint
  • ain't
  • not for a instant
  • not for a/one minute/moment/second/instant