gain ground

Metaphor, suggesting e.g. military acquisition of territory.

gain ground (third-person singular simple present gains ground, present participle gaining ground, simple past and past participle gained ground)

1. To make progress or obtain advantage; to gain traction.

   No matter how hard I try, I don't seem to be gaining ground.

   Team Red has gained ground on Team Blue since October.

   Synonyms: gain momentum, gain traction, pick up

   Antonyms: give ground, lose ground

• put facts on the ground