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Tag: Find common ground

  • Find Common Ground

    🗓️ Idiom: Find Common Ground (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To discover shared ideas or goals between people who have different opinions.
    • To agree on something, even if you disagree on other things.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • In the negotiation, both sides tried to find common ground to move forward.
    • Even with cultural differences, the teams found common ground through shared business values.
    • It’s hard to agree on everything, but we found common ground on our main goals.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the idea of people standing on the same piece of land — “common ground” — when they agree. It was first used in English during the 1800s, especially in politics and public discussions. It described the moment when two sides with different views could agree on at least one thing.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Despite their differences, the two managers were able to __________ on the project timeline.

    Answer

    find common ground

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “find common ground”:

    A) To find a new office
    B) To agree on shared ideas
    C) To fight over opinions

    Answer

    B) To agree on shared ideas

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “They finally agreed on something after a long discussion.” → Change the sentence using: find common ground

    Answer

    They finally found common ground after a long discussion.

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  • Find Common Ground

    🗓️ Idiom: Find Common Ground (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To identify shared interests or agreement in a discussion or negotiation.
    • To reach a mutual understanding despite differences of opinion.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • During the meeting, the two sides worked hard to find common ground.
    • Even though their goals were different, they eventually found common ground.
    • Successful negotiators always try to find common ground before proposing solutions.

    🏛️ Origin

    The Oxford English Dictionary cites its earliest known use in 1570. The “common” refers to something shared or mutually understood, while “ground” represents a foundation or basis. Common ground meaning a shared space.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The manager encouraged the team to __________ and resolve the disagreement.

    Answer

    find common ground

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “find common ground”:

    A) To argue without listening
    B) To avoid discussing difficult topics
    C) To reach mutual understanding despite differences

    Answer

    C) To reach mutual understanding despite differences

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “They tried to agree on something that both sides could accept.” → Change the sentence using: find common ground

    Answer

    They tried to find common ground that both sides could accept.

    ℹ️ Other Useful Pages

    👉 Negotiation Idioms
    👉 Business English Idioms List