ground out

USAGE SUMMARY

"ground out" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It typically means to work or progress slowly and steadily. Example: The team ground out a win in the last inning, despite being behind for most of the game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Feldman got a run-scoring ground out and then walked Pujols intentionally to bring up Berkman.

The New York Times - Sports

If you're not sufficiently ideological, he would cut the ground out from under you".

The New Yorker

But in some ways he seems to cut the ground out from under himself.

The New York Times - Arts

Another ground out allowed Wood to escape.

Los Angeles Times

But should that ground out have ended the inning?

Huffington Post

The ground out is technically a special case of the force out.

Wikipedia

He ground out another 80.

The Guardian - Sport

He got Avila to ground out, advancing Peralta to third.

The New York Times - Sports

Somehow, we ground out that second seed and obviously — obviously!

The New York Times - Sports

Tom Gordon got Bill Mueller to ground out to second.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Copping settled down and induced a ground-out to end the threat.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In non-sports contexts, use "ground out" to emphasize a slow, laborious process of achieving a result, often against resistance.

Common error

Avoid using "ground out" to describe any generic baseball out. It specifically refers to an out resulting from a ground ball that is fielded by the opposing team.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ground out" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It describes either a specific play in baseball, as validated by Ludwig, or, more generally, the act of achieving something through persistent effort. The examples provided by Ludwig clarify these two distinct usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

15%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ground out" is a versatile term, commonly used both in baseball and in more general contexts to describe achieving a result through persistent effort. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely understood. In baseball, it refers to a specific play where the batter is out due to a ground ball. Outside of sports, it signifies a slow, grinding process of achieving a goal. The contexts where it appears most often are News & Media, Wiki, and Sport. While generally neutral in tone, its formality can shift depending on the setting. Therefore, it is essential to consider context when interpreting and using the phrase, avoiding its misuse outside of its established definitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grind out

Implies a slow and laborious process of achieving a result.

eke out

Focuses on achieving something with difficulty and minimal resources.

scratch out

Suggests obtaining something with great effort, often against the odds.

work hard for

Highlights the effort and dedication required to attain a goal.

manage to achieve

Emphasizes the successful attainment of a goal, often despite challenges.

force a result

Indicates that the outcome was not easily achieved and required strong effort.

force out

A play in baseball where a runner is forced to advance and is put out.

fly out

Describes a baseball play where the batter is out by hitting a fly ball caught by a fielder.

double play

In baseball, describes a play where two outs are recorded.

strike out

Describes when a batter accumulates three strikes and is out.

FAQs

How is "ground out" used in baseball?

In baseball, "ground out" refers to when a batter is out because they hit a ground ball that is fielded by the opposing team, resulting in a force out or tag out.

What does "ground out" mean outside of baseball?

Outside of baseball, "ground out" can mean to achieve something slowly and laboriously. You could also use the alternative phrase "eke out" to describe this concept.

What's the difference between a "ground out" and a "fly out"?

A "ground out" occurs when a batter hits a ground ball that leads to an out. A "fly out" happens when a batter hits a ball in the air that is caught by a fielder.

Which is correct: "ground out a win" or "grind out a win"?

"Ground out a win" and "grind out a win" are both correct. Both phrases suggest achieving a victory through persistent effort, though "grind out" may imply more difficulty.