off the ground
Hovering above surface
Off the ground describes something that has started, become operational, or gained initial momentum.
A project gets off the ground when it moves from planning to action: We finally got the business off the ground after months of preparation.
The phrase evokes an airplane's takeoff—the critical transition from stationary to airborne.
Often paired with get or help: It took three investors to help get the nonprofit off the ground.
- commenceTo set underway
- levitateFloat in air
- hoistRaise with tackle
- lift offDeparture from ground
- launchSet into motion
start · begin · get going · get the ball rolling · establish · set in motion · lift · suspend · soar · ascend · take flight · achieve · up and running · advance · airborne · up in the air · sky high · activate
off the groundon the ground
In contact with earth
grounded · earthbound · landed · planted · on the floor
off the groundstalled
Stopped unexpectedly
dead in the water · going nowhere · at a standstill · shelved · in limbo
off the groundwell-established
Firmly in place, enduring
deeply rooted · entrenched · settled · anchored · fixed
ground, grounds, grounded, grounding, groundless, underground, groundwork, aground