the high ground

high ground

1. Literally, elevated land. We need to move to high ground before the flood waters reach us.
2. The most advantageous or defensible position. Likened to the ideal defensive position of an army. In this usage, the phrase is preceded by "the." We most certainly have the high ground on this issue, and we've stated our case consistently from the start.
See also: ground, high

the high ground

The most advantageous or defensible position. Likened to the ideal defensive position of an army. We most certainly have the high ground on this issue, and we've stated our case consistently from the start.
See also: ground, high
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the high ground

If a person or organization has the high ground on a particular subject, they have an advantage over their opponents, especially by having better ideas and policies. This is clearly an attempt to win back the political high ground on citizens' rights. The party was determined to take the high ground on environmental issues. Compare with the moral high ground. Note: In a battle, the army which is on higher ground has the advantage.
See also: ground, high
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • high ground
  • to windward
  • to windward of
  • to windward of (something)
  • windward
  • be on the front foot
  • on the front foot
  • front foot
  • elevate
  • elevate (someone or something) to (something)
References in classic literature
Suddenly on the road at the top of the high ground, artillery and troops in blue uniform were seen.
On the high ground where the enemy was, the smoke of a cannon rose, and a ball flew whistling over the heads of the hussar squadron.
Will they get there and fire the bridge or will the French get within grapeshot range and wipe them out?" These were the questions each man of the troops on the high ground above the bridge involuntarily asked himself with a sinking heart- watching the bridge and the hussars in the bright evening light and the blue tunics advancing from the other side with their bayonets and guns.
In fact, we see the whole of it except that furthest part, which is covered by the Welsh Marches and those parts which are hidden from where we stand by the high ground of the immediate west.
Marvellous weather and the view's marvellous--views westward to the high ground. Thank you for your letter.
The fog was rapidly dispersing; already the moon shone quite clear on the high ground on either side; and it was only in the exact bottom of the dell and round the tavern door that a thin veil still hung unbroken to conceal the first steps of our escape.
From the high ground on which it stood a series of terraces bordered by balustrades and urns descended in the steel-engraving style to a small irregular lake with an asphalt edge overhung by rare weeping conifers.
The high ground rising abruptly behind the red roofs of the little town crowds the quaint High Street against the wall which defends it from the sea.
This name was given to the high grounds in the north, east part of Newton, and to the bounds of that town and Watertown.
As shown in the video below, the Syrian Arab Army is now in full control of this town and they also possess the high ground over the Jaysh Al-Izza strongholds of Kafr Zita and Al-Latamnah.
The oldest human camp in Stirling is about 7000 years old and the first settlements were all on the high ground of Stirling, Dunblane, Cowie and Kippen, while the later - Raploch, Cornton and Plean ones were on the low ground.
He said: "It's really a week of April showers, a mix of rain and some snow on the high ground and some hail.
But the president hardly holds the high ground here.
These will blow in plenty of showers, turning wintry, especially across the high ground of northern Britain, but perhaps to lower levels at times in the far north.