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Take ground vs Take the ground

admin Confusing Phrases

take ground—

1. (of ships) run aground:

  • The Flying Scud took ground on a bank of sand and coral about twenty minutes before five.

2. (Military) take up a certain position:

  • Uncertainty was at last removed, by his marching towards Arcot, and taking ground before it.

Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase take earth—(of hunted animals) go into a hiding place:

  • Follow yonder fellow, and see where he takes earth.

take the ground—

1. = take ground 1:

  • The pilot was about to adjust course when the ship took the ground.

2. assert one’s point of view:

  • Mortillet took the ground that the flints found in Merovingian graves were either “strike-a-lights” or amulets.