dead on the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"dead on the ground" is correct and usable in written English, and it is often used as a metaphor for a situation that is dire and hopeless.
An example would be, "The struggling business lay dead on the ground, unable to withstand the changing economy any longer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

And tribes of cats stalk around like predators; every now and then you pass one lying dead on the ground, its body torn apart by sniper fire.

The New York Times

The fate of the two pilots remains unconfirmed, with footage appears to show one lying dead on the ground.

Vice

Unverifiable videos like this one where a man lies dead on the ground with a bullet mark and this one of a brutal stabbing reveal a cycle of endemic abuse.

Huffington Post

He came round to find his hands tied and one of his men dead on the ground.

The New York Times

Officials for the Turkmen Brigade insurgent group said they shot the pilots in the air, and earlier posted video and photos purporting to show one of the pilots found dead on the ground.

Independent

"The last one included a picture of a young girl sprawled dead on the ground with a doll lying six inches from the tips of her fingers.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The car then rammed into the fence surrounding government buildings and the attacker ran toward the gate, fatally stabbing one police officer before armed police shot him dead on the grounds of the Parliament.

Vice

In her afterword, Carol relates an anecdote about their daughter, then 2 years old, one day coming across a dead bumblebee on the ground.

The New York Times - Books

When he composed them, he would dream of the dead lying on the ground.

The Economist

Two of the dead were on the ground, and there were 15 survivors from the plane.

The New York Times

"I saw the dead bodies on the ground, wearing poor clothes and uniforms.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional impact of using "dead on the ground". It is a direct and sometimes harsh way to describe death, so ensure it aligns with the tone and purpose of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "dead on the ground" too casually in metaphorical contexts. While it can be used to describe a failed project or plan, overuse can diminish its impact and seem insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dead on the ground" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, specifying the state and location of a deceased person or thing. Ludwig's examples show its usage in reporting factual events, often with a somber or tragic tone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dead on the ground" is a descriptive phrase used to depict a scene where a person or thing is deceased and lying on the ground. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. It serves to convey information about a death, often with a sense of finality and tragedy. While primarily neutral in register, its starkness requires careful consideration of tone. Alternative phrases such as "lifeless on the ground" or "deceased on the earth" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality and emotional impact. The high frequency in news sources underscores its role in factual reporting of serious events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lifeless on the ground

Replaces "dead" with "lifeless", emphasizing the absence of life.

lying dead on the floor

Changes the location to "floor", altering the specific setting but maintaining the core meaning.

deceased on the earth

Replaces "dead" with the more formal "deceased" and "ground" with "earth".

fallen dead on the ground

Adds "fallen" to indicate the action of falling before death.

expired on the ground

Substitutes "dead" with "expired", a more clinical or bureaucratic term.

lying motionless on the ground

Replaces "dead" with "motionless", focusing on the lack of movement.

found dead at the scene

Shifts the focus to the discovery of the body at a specific location.

killed on the spot

Indicates the person was killed immediately at that location.

slain on the battlefield

Implies a violent death in a combat situation.

no longer living on the ground

A more verbose and euphemistic way of saying someone is dead.

FAQs

How can I use "dead on the ground" in a sentence?

You can use "dead on the ground" to describe a scene where someone has died, such as: "The soldier lay "dead on the ground" after the battle."

What are some alternatives to "dead on the ground"?

Alternatives include phrases like "lifeless on the ground", "lying dead on the floor", or "deceased on the earth", depending on the context.

Is "dead on the ground" a literal or figurative expression?

While it can be literal when describing a deceased person or animal physically on the ground, it can also be used figuratively to describe something that has failed completely or is beyond recovery.

What's the connotation of using the phrase "dead on the ground"?

The phrase "dead on the ground" often carries a connotation of tragedy, violence, or finality. It is a stark and direct way to describe death, so consider the emotional impact when using it.