get off the ground
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get off the ground
1. Literally, of an aircraft, to lift up off the ground and remain in flight. This beat-up old plane will never get off the ground!
2. To cause some kind of aircraft to lift up off the ground in sustained flight. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "get" and "off." If any pilot can get this seaplane off the ground, it's Samantha!
3. To get underway; to get to a point of stable or self-sufficient progress or development. Now that this project has finally gotten off the ground, we can start to focus some of our attention on other areas of the business. Jack just wants to wait until the company gets off the ground a bit before we begin any major media campaigns.
4. To get something underway; to bring something to a point of stable or self-sufficient progress or development. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "get" and "off." It's just another side project that Tom never got off the ground. It took a huge financial investment to get their new company off the ground, but now it's raking in the cash.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
get something off the ground
1. Lit. to get something into the air. I'll announce the weather to the passengers as soon as we get the plane off the ground. I hope they get this plane off the ground soon.
2. Fig. to get something started. (Alludes to an airplane beginning a flight.) When we get this event off the ground we can relax. It is my job to get the celebration plans off the ground.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
get off the ground
Make a start, get underway, as in Because of legal difficulties, the construction project never got off the ground. This expression, alluding to flight, dates from the mid-1900s. The similar-sounding get off to a flying start, meaning "make a successful start," alludes not to flight but to a quick start in a race, a usage from the late 1800s. For example, He's off to a flying start with his dissertation.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
get (something) off the ground
If a something that is planned gets off the ground, it starts operating or functioning and if you get something that is planned off the ground, you make it start to operate or function. He will need contacts here if he's going to have any chance of getting his plan off the ground. Councillor Riley spoke of the dedication and enthusiasm of staff and volunteers in getting the schemes off the ground. Even if the talks do get off the ground, there is no guarantee they will succeed.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
get off the ground (or get something off the ground)
start (or cause to start) happening or functioning successfully.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
get (something) off the ˈground
(of a plan, project, etc.) start happening successfully; make something start happening successfully: By this time next year the new company should be just getting off the ground. ♢ We’re looking for a new manager to help get this project off the ground.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017