boots on the ground

== English == === Etymology === First appears c. 1980 in the US. Attributed to the United States General Volney F. Warner, as quoted in the Christian Science Monitor (April 11, 1980) in reference to the Iranian hostage crisis: === Noun === boots on the ground pl (plural only) (military, metonymic) The ground forces actually fighting in a war or conflict, rather than troops not engaged or other military action such as air strikes. The military policy of using ground forces. (by extension) Personnel operating in an area of interest. (informal, figurative) The state or condition of being physically present at a place of interest in order to ascertain the current situation. Michael Bordenaro (27 March 2024), “FAST FOOD LAYOFFS ARE HERE! THOUSANDS LOSING THEIR JOB...”, in Youtube,com‎[2], Youtube.com, retrieved 27 March 2024: “I'm gonna be in California this summer. And I'll definitely be doing some boots on the ground research on [raise in minimum wage] while I'm there.” Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see boots,‎ on,‎ ground. ==== Usage notes ==== Occasionally considered a form of dehumanizing language by some. ==== Synonyms ==== (ground forces): BOG (military) (military policy): landpower ==== Related terms ==== facts on the ground feet on the ground === References ===