cede the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

'cede the ground' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the act of giving up, surrendering, or yielding something. For example, "The army was forced to cede the ground to the enemy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"We're trying to create a dialogue rather than cede the ground".

The New York Times - Health

On the other hand, to fail to stand up for Asghar and others like him is to cede the ground to those who think it's OK to kill people who say odd things.

The Guardian - Opinion

David Nasaw, a history professor at the Graduate Center at the City University of New York, said the society's shift was the museum's gain because the society effectively has said that it wants "to cede the ground and let the Museum of the City of New York take over New York" "The problem is, it's never been a standard history museum," Mr. Nasaw added.

The New York Times - Arts

"I want to tell you something, because if we cede the ground to those who suggest that -- I don't mean foreigners, I mean domestic critics -- that somehow, we are destined to fulfill [historian Paul] Kennedy's prophecy that we are going to be a great nation that has failed because we lost control of our economy and overextended, then we might as well throw it in now, for God's sake.

The Washington Post

"I think it's important that literature not cede the ground of this stuff to movies and TV.

Los Angeles Times

Civil rights advocates must not cede the ground to those who would deny us equal protection of the law.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

By zipping his lip, he has only ceded the ground.

The Guardian - Film

But she signaled on Sunday that she has no intention of ceding the ground she has built in Iowa.

The New York Times

The U.B.I. would encourage women to drop out of the work force, they say, ceding the ground feminism has fought so hard for.

The New York Times

As the idea took hold that innovation comes from the "startup nation," many established companies ceded the ground, deciding to focus on execution and efficiency instead.

Harvard Business Review

He says that traditional business groups such as the chamber have ceded the ground to more right-wing groups such as the Club for Growth and Heritage Action.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cede the ground" when you want to express the idea of giving up a position, argument, or advantage, often to an opponent or competitor. It implies a strategic retreat or concession.

Common error

Avoid using "cede the ground" interchangeably with phrases like "take the high road". "Cede the ground" implies a loss of position, while "take the high road" suggests acting with integrity despite a disadvantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cede the ground" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate the action of relinquishing or surrendering a position, argument, or advantage. Ludwig AI explains that it expresses the act of giving up something. The examples provided show how this phrase is used in various contexts, such as politics, sports, and business.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cede the ground" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as Ludwig AI confirms. It describes the act of giving up a position or advantage. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but it appears in academic and scientific writing as well. While not extremely frequent, it is used consistently across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Related phrases include "relinquish control" and "surrender the advantage", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using "cede the ground", ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of yielding a position rather than simply acting with integrity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relinquish control

Focuses on giving up control, emphasizing the act of surrendering authority.

yield the position

Emphasizes giving up a specific stance or location.

surrender the advantage

Highlights the loss of a beneficial position or edge.

concede the point

Focuses on admitting defeat in an argument or debate.

give way

Suggests a yielding or collapsing under pressure.

back down

Highlights the act of retreating from a confrontation or stance.

withdraw from the field

Implies a retreat from an area of competition or conflict.

abandon the cause

Focuses on giving up a particular goal or objective.

capitulate

Highlights complete surrender, often in a military or political context.

hand over

Emphasizes the transfer of something, like power or territory, to another party.

FAQs

What does it mean to "cede the ground"?

To "cede the ground" means to give up a position, argument, or advantage, typically to an opponent or competitor. It implies a strategic retreat or concession.

How can I use "cede the ground" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company decided to "cede the ground" in the price war to avoid further losses".

What are some alternatives to saying "cede the ground"?

Alternatives include "relinquish control", "surrender the advantage", or "yield the position", depending on the specific context.

Is "cede the ground" formal or informal?

"Cede the ground" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in news, academic, and professional writing.