go to ground

Verb

go to ground (third-person singular simple present goes to ground, present participle going to ground, simple past went to ground, past participle gone to ground)

1. (UK, intransitive) Of an animal, to escape into a burrow, hole, etc. when being hunted.
   • The fox escaped from the hounds by going to ground.
   • I heard them on the other bank, and then saw a man on a horse crossing the river, and went to ground like a jackal.1912, H. Rider Haggard, chapter 19, in Marie
2. (broadly, idiomatic) To hide from public view or sequester oneself, especially when authorities, members of the news media, or others are looking for one.
   • It was more than enough for my fugitives to clear out of the Lausanne station and make some new move, to hide away in an out-of-the-way spot, go to ground in fact, or travel in another direction.1906, Arthur Griffiths, chapter 11, in The Passenger from Calais
   • Kerviel's identity was revealed on the Financial Times and Daily Telegraph websites, but was not confirmed by bank officials, who admitted on Thursday that the rogue trader appeared to have gone to ground and that they had no idea where he was.2008 January 24, Vivienne Walt, “France's $7.2 Billion Hit”, in Time
3. (UK, intransitive) To fall to the ground, lose one's footing, come off one's feet, whether by design, accident, or foul
   • There can never have been a more blatant voluntary tackle than the way the Saints captain Chris Joynt went to ground on the penultimate play of the game, to deny Bradford any chance of regaining possession after Sean Long's drop goal 30 seconds or so earlier.2002 October 21, Andy Wilson, “Lowes rages as Saints clinch title thriller”, in The Guardian
   • He defends well and his recovery is good, meaning he can get up and get back at people if he goes to ground.2004 May 10, Andy Gray, “The pace, power and desire to conquer all”, in The Guardian
4. (UK, intransitive) (of the ball) to touch the ground; to be dropped
   • Ireland get the next put in. They could, and probably should, put the screws on the US now as their fitness and technique begins to tell. [...] Instead, the ball goes to ground as it wings its way down the Irish line. It doesn't go forward though, so they keep on pushing up the pitch.2011 September 11, Tom Bryant, “Rugby World Cup 2011: Ireland 22-10 USA - as it happened”, in The Guardian
   • What was, in truth, a pretty dreadful first half came to life in the final minute when a wayward pass from De Klerk went to ground behind Tuilagi, who gathered, spun, spotted a gap left by overzealous Racing defenders and breezed under the posts.2022 May 8, Gerard Meagher, “Finn Russell’s stunner for Racing 92 knocks Sale out of Champions Cup”, in The Guardian