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Glite Dictionary
to give ground

to give ground

3 4.9
To accept less than you want in a discussion to reach an agreement
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : ceder terreno
  • "Society is full of similar affairs and obsessive lusts," Pitt replied, determined not to give ground.
  • refused to give ground
  • give ground on wages
  • forced to give ground

Even just buddies of mine, like friends of mine from Texas that are really, really that even more unprepared to give ground now.

Examples

  • Both Pascendi and Modernism have had to give ground on their understandings of science.

    Academic text (2007)

  • But she squares her jaw and won't give ground.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • But can we all give ground on the 'we all are human and deserve rights' statement?

    Blog text (31)

  • Obama must not give ground on the benefits provided by these programs.

    Blog text (17)

  • Neither side is going to give ground on trans.

    Blog text (31)

  • Radicals were forced to give ground in a number of areas.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Like any worthwhile compromise, both sides had to make tough decisions and give ground on issues that were important to them.

    Blog text (3)

  • And in a negotiation, anyone who speaks to fill the void oftentimes ends up giving ground.

    Blog text (23)

  • Matty Roh backed away slowly, reluctant even now to give ground.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • During the negotiations, both sides agreed to give ground to reach a compromise.

Synonyms

to give in
vsto give ground
220 3.0

To stop resisting and agree to what others want

highlights concession as an action within ongoing negotiation
to compromise
vsto give ground
215 3.7

To settle a disagreement by each side giving up something

focuses on yielding specifically during a debate or negotiation
to settle
vsto give ground
166 3.6

To accept less than you wanted

implies an intentional concession during debate or bargaining
to yield
vsto give ground
81 4.3

To stop resisting under pressure or force

is about negotiated yielding rather than yielding to force
to relent
vsto give ground
31 5.8

To stop resisting and allow something to happen, like a person giving in or a storm easing

focuses more on deliberate concession within a negotiation context
to acquiesce
vsto give ground
  • Formal
20 8.4

To accept something you do not want without complaining

involves active yielding as part of negotiating rather than quiet acceptance
to concede
vsto give ground
13 5.5

To give something to another person or group against your will

is specifically about making concessions during debate or negotiation
to split the difference
vsto give ground
  • Informal
9 4.1

Agree on a middle amount between two offers

is broader, covering any act of yielding in negotiation
to give and take
vsto give ground
6 3.6

To accept some demands while giving up some of your own

emphasizes one side yielding rather than balanced mutual exchange
to meet halfway
vsto give ground
2 3.5

Each person gives up some of what they want to reach an agreement

stresses making a single side concession in a negotiation

Antonyms

to refuse
∞ 1.7

To say you do not believe something is true

to stand firm
22 3.7

Keep your decision or opinion when others try to make you change

How Yielding

to concede
49 4.9
to yield
81 4.3
to give ground
3 4.9
compromise
363 2.5

Surface Forms

give ground infinitive
gave ground past
given ground past participle
giving ground present participle
gives ground third person singular

Morphology

give + ground

The meaning 'to yield or concede a position' follows directly from combining 'give' (to yield) with 'ground' understood as 'position/advantage', so the sense is partially compositional. However, this requires recognizing a metaphorical use of 'ground' (position/territory) and is conventionalized in negotiation contexts, so it may not be fully predictable to all B1 learners without prior exposure.

Etymology

Give ground comes from old fighting: if soldiers gave the ground, they stepped back and let the other side hold the land. So today it means 'to yield' or 'to make a compromise' in an argument or negotiation.