bound to the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bound to the ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is physically restrained or unable to move from its position on the ground. Example: "The heavy machinery was bound to the ground, making it impossible to relocate without proper equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Fevvers herself is both a richly vulgar reality and a symbol of feminine possibility as she is told: "You are the pure child of the century, the new age in which no woman will be bound to the ground".

The Guardian

We don't need roots now: they make plants of us, splendid, yes, but bound to the ground, and nowadays everything is more mobile than ever, shifting quickly from one shape to the next.

The Guardian - Books

"A book that begins when its hero awakens bound to the ground with scores of tiny, armed men advancing across his torso and ends when Lars Eighner and his dog find an apartment in Austin, Texas".

The New Yorker

They've been molting, bound to the ground.

Huffington Post

'Bound to the Ground' is available now from The Eriskay Connection.

Vice

Bound to the Ground is available now from the Eriskay Connection.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Most were serfs bound to the plots of ground their ancestors had tilled and provided services or goods to the lord of the manor, who extended protection in return.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If Wimbledon Football Club were ever wound up, Plough Lane's owners were legally bound to sell the ground to Merton Council for £8,000, irrespective of inflation.

Wikipedia

FedEx Ground's truck drivers purchase and operate their own vehicles, and while they are bound to certain FedEx Ground rules and regulations, these contractors have the ability to set their own hours, to buy and sell routes, and to develop their own business.

Huffington Post

An idea that challenges government intervention into how we eat, how we travel and where we go on holiday is bound to find fertile ground.

The Guardian

Kai Eide, who stepped down as UN chief in Afghanistan earlier this year, said the sacking was bound to have implications on the ground.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bound to the ground" when you want to express a state of being physically restricted or metaphorically limited by earthly concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "bound to the ground" in contexts where a more nuanced expression of limitation or restriction is needed. Consider whether phrases like "constrained", "restricted", or "limited" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound to the ground" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase. It can act as a post-modifier, describing a noun's state of being physically restricted or metaphorically limited. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its varied use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bound to the ground" is grammatically sound and functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, conveying a sense of physical or metaphorical restriction. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources. While not extremely common, it serves to illustrate limitation or lack of freedom, adding depth and vividness to writing. Related phrases like "tethered to the earth" or "earthbound" offer similar connotations, allowing writers to fine-tune their expression. Therefore, writers are advised to use this expression to emphasize something which is confined to earth, but keeping in mind the alternatives for different writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tethered to the earth

Emphasizes a physical connection and lack of mobility.

anchored to the spot

Highlights the stability and immovability of something.

rooted to the spot

Suggests a deep, unshakeable connection to a place.

confined to the surface

Focuses on the limitation of movement to a specific plane.

earthbound

Implies a lack of freedom or aspiration, stuck in the material world.

restricted to this location

Highlights the limitation of movement to a particular area.

stuck in place

Indicates an inability to move or progress.

unable to take flight

Emphasizes the inability to rise above a situation or location.

held down

Highlights the action of something preventing upward movement.

weighed down

Indicates that something is burdened and unable to move freely.

FAQs

How can I use "bound to the ground" in a sentence?

You can use "bound to the ground" to describe something that is physically unable to move from the ground, or metaphorically restricted in its actions or potential. For example: "The bird with the broken wing was bound to the ground" or "His outdated beliefs kept him bound to the ground, unable to embrace new ideas".

What are some alternatives to "bound to the ground"?

Some alternatives include "tethered to the earth", "anchored to the spot", or "earthbound", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "bound to the ground" an idiom?

"Bound to the ground" can be used idiomatically to describe something that is limited or restricted, but it also has a literal meaning when describing something physically attached to the ground. It's not a fixed idiom but a flexible phrase.

When is it appropriate to use "bound to the ground" figuratively?

It's appropriate to use "bound to the ground" figuratively when describing something that is prevented from achieving its full potential, or when someone is stuck in a difficult or limiting situation. This usage emphasizes a lack of freedom or upward mobility.