[lose|give] ground
1
to give up one's position to the opposing side, resulting in a loss of progress, influence, or control
The idiom "lose ground" is believed to have a military origin, where losing ground referred to a situation where an army was forced to retreat and give up territory to the enemy. This idiom is often used in business, politics, and sports to describe a situation where a person or a group is losing their advantage or slipping behind in a competitive environment.
- If we don't act soon, we will lose ground in the fight against climate change.
- Our team is losing ground in the race, and we need to speed up.
- The army gave ground to the enemy during the battle.
- The army lost ground to the enemy during the battle.
- The company has been giving ground to its competitors in the market.