break ground

To start digging the earth for a new building or for planting.

• They broke ground yesterday.
• We will break ground on the hospital next week.
• The farmers broke ground for their new vegetable beds.

How to use it: break ground on something (The builders will break ground on the new school in June.)

Similar words: begin digging

Common phrases: break ground today, break ground here

To start something new or achieve something that has not been done before.

• Their research broke ground.
• This small company is breaking ground in clean energy.
• The director broke ground with her unusual use of sound.

How to use it: break ground in something (Her team broke ground in cancer research.)

Similar words: innovate, pioneer

Common phrases: break ground in science, break ground in design

When an anchor does this, it lifts off the bottom of the sea as it is pulled up.

• The anchor broke ground.
• The crew waited for the anchor to break ground.
• Once the anchor had broken ground, the ship began to move.

Similar words: come free

Common phrases: break ground slowly, break ground cleanly

When an aircraft does this, it leaves the ground and starts flying.

• The plane broke ground.
• We watched the small aircraft break ground.
• The wheels stopped turning after the aircraft had broken ground.

Similar words: take off, lift off

Opposites: land

Common phrases: break ground smoothly, break ground safely