boots on the ground
having a physical presence somewhere
TRANSLATION
boots on the ground = vor Ort sein, Bodentruppen einsetzen --- GOOGLE INDEX boots on the ground: approximately 2,000,000 Google hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
There remains a prevalent belief that BOOTS ON THE GROUND are an elemental asset for effectively investing overseas.
(Forbes magazine)
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Obama administration firm: No BOOTS ON THE GROUND in Iraq
(Forbes magazine)
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Obama administration firm: No BOOTS ON THE GROUND in Iraq
Did you
know?
boots on the ground
idiom
- having a physical presence
- sending military troops on a combat mission
---
Although it's not clear when the expression "boots on the ground" first appeared, the military origin is not in question. One of the more common uses is to differentiate between military action initiated form the sea and air, such as through air strikes, and placing combat troops "on the ground." During the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 for instance, the Americans first used air strikes to destroy strategic facilities and then sent in combat troops - boots on the ground - to take control of the country.
To some, the expression "boots on the ground" may sound superfluous. When you think about it, even "on the ground" is unnecessary. Why not just say "troops in Iraq"? It's shorter and there is no doubt about the meaning. The phrase raises another question. Has anyone ever seen "boots in the air"?
The truth is, we often seize words and phrases as synonyms either out of boredom, because they are trendy or because they sound cool. As with many military expressions, "boots on the ground" has crept into the vernacular of the civilian sector and is now used by politicians and business executives alike to indicate having a physical, and often long-term, presence in a new place.
But for those who would like to add this trendy phrase to their vocabulary, we recommend making sure your audience knows what kind of boots you are talking about.
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"Being successful in a new overseas market requires putting boots on the ground."
idiom
- having a physical presence
- sending military troops on a combat mission
---
Although it's not clear when the expression "boots on the ground" first appeared, the military origin is not in question. One of the more common uses is to differentiate between military action initiated form the sea and air, such as through air strikes, and placing combat troops "on the ground." During the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 for instance, the Americans first used air strikes to destroy strategic facilities and then sent in combat troops - boots on the ground - to take control of the country.
To some, the expression "boots on the ground" may sound superfluous. When you think about it, even "on the ground" is unnecessary. Why not just say "troops in Iraq"? It's shorter and there is no doubt about the meaning. The phrase raises another question. Has anyone ever seen "boots in the air"?
The truth is, we often seize words and phrases as synonyms either out of boredom, because they are trendy or because they sound cool. As with many military expressions, "boots on the ground" has crept into the vernacular of the civilian sector and is now used by politicians and business executives alike to indicate having a physical, and often long-term, presence in a new place.
But for those who would like to add this trendy phrase to their vocabulary, we recommend making sure your audience knows what kind of boots you are talking about.
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"Being successful in a new overseas market requires putting boots on the ground."
