go to ground: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  chiefly UKliteralneutral
  • Of an animal: to escape into a burrow, hole, or similar refuge when being hunted.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The rabbit quickly went to ground when it sensed the fox approaching through the bushes.

    El conejo rápidamente se refugió en su madriguera cuando sintió que el zorro se acercaba entre los arbustos.

  • During the hunt, the badger went to ground, disappearing into its burrow to escape the hounds.

    Durante la caza, el tejón se refugió en su madriguera para escapar de los perros de caza.

  • The fox went to ground as the hunters closed in, making it difficult to track its movements.

    El zorro se refugió en su madriguera cuando los cazadores se acercaban, dificultando seguir sus movimientos.

  • When the hawk circled overhead, the small rodents quickly went to ground to avoid being caught.

    Cuando el halcón circulaba en el cielo, los pequeños roedores rápidamente se refugiaron en sus madrigueras para evitar ser atrapados.

• 2.

  UKgeneralidiomaticneutral
  • To hide from public view or sequester oneself, especially to avoid authorities, the media, or public attention.

  Examples

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  • After the controversy, the politician went to ground for several weeks, avoiding all public appearances.

    Después de la controversia, el político se escondió durante varias semanas, evitando todas las apariciones públicas.

  • If the company goes to ground, it will be nearly impossible to locate its executives for questioning.

    Si la empresa se esconde, será casi imposible localizar a sus ejecutivos para interrogarlos.

  • She went to ground after the media frenzy, retreating to a quiet cabin in the mountains.

    Ella se escondió tras el frenesí mediático, retirándose a una cabaña tranquila en las montañas.

• 3.

  chiefly UKsportsinformal
  • Of a player: to fall to the ground or lose one's footing during play, whether by design, accident, or foul.

  Examples

  Beta

  • During the game, the player went to ground after being tripped by an opponent, drawing a foul.

    Durante el partido, el jugador cayó al suelo tras ser derribado por un adversario, provocando una falta.

  • He went to ground awkwardly after losing his balance while trying to intercept the ball.

    Cayó torpemente después de perder el equilibrio al intentar interceptar el balón.

  • If a player goes to ground too easily, the referee might penalize them for simulation.

    Si un jugador se cae demasiado fácilmente, el árbitro podría sancionarlo por simulación.

  • She went to ground quickly but managed to recover and continue playing without injury.

    Cayó rápidamente, pero logró recuperarse y continuar jugando sin lesiones.

• 4.

  chiefly UKsportsneutral
  • Of the ball: to touch the ground or be dropped during play.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The ball went to ground just inside the boundary, resulting in a close call for the umpire.

    La pelota tocó el suelo justo dentro del límite, resultando en una decisión ajustada para el árbitro.

  • When the ball goes to ground unexpectedly, it can change the momentum of the game instantly.

    Cuando la pelota toca el suelo inesperadamente, puede cambiar el ritmo del juego al instante.

  • He caught the pass before the ball went to ground, preventing the opposing team from scoring.

    Atrapó el pase antes de que la pelota tocara el suelo, evitando que el equipo contrario anotara.

  • The defender failed to stop the ball from going to ground, which allowed the striker to take a shot.

    El defensor no logró evitar que la pelota tocara el suelo, lo que permitió al delantero disparar.