gain ground
/ɡeɪn ɡraʊnd/
Meaning
This expression means to make progress, become more popular, or win a larger share of a market. It is often used when a company is catching up to its competitors or when an idea is starting to get accepted by more people.
Examples
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Our new software is starting to gain ground in the European market.
Our new software is starting to gain ground in the European market.
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The competitor's marketing campaign is gaining ground among younger consumers.
The competitor's marketing campaign is gaining ground among younger consumers.
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Although we started late, our team is rapidly gaining ground on the project deadline.
Although we started late, our team is rapidly gaining ground on the project deadline.
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The proposal to implement a four-day workweek is gaining ground among senior management.
The proposal to implement a four-day workweek is gaining ground among senior management.
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Electric vehicles continue to gain ground as charging infrastructure improves.
Electric vehicles continue to gain ground as charging infrastructure improves.
Common Mistakes
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✗ We need to gain more grounds in this sector.
✓ We need to gain more ground in this sector.
'Ground' in this idiom is uncountable and should always be singular.
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✗ Our product is gaining ground to the market leader.
✓ Our product is gaining ground on the market leader.
When catching up to a competitor, use the preposition 'on', not 'to'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Our brand is starting to ___ on the industry leader after the recent product launch.
💡 make progress or catch up
Show answer
gain ground
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The idea of remote-first work has continued to ___ over the past year.
💡 become more accepted or popular
Show answer
gain ground