facts on the ground

Noun

Meaning

(idiomatic) The situation in reality as opposed to in the abstract.

(literally) Some aspects of the situation in a particular location.

(idiomatic, euphemistic) The presence of military forces in a territory, rendering moot any debate over ownership.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Related terms

boots on the ground

Examples

Anybody who believes the surge has not succeeded, militarily, politically and in most other ways, frankly, does not know the facts on the ground. John McCain

To state the obvious, I thought it was wrong at the time... those statements and comments did not comport with the facts on the ground. ... But do I blame [the President] for that specific banner? I can't blame him for that. John McCain

I'm English enough to feel something of a gut-reaction to modernism, to continental philosophising and anything that smacks of a refusal to pay attention to the forensics: the empirical facts on the ground. Will Self

Facts on the ground in the kingdom and beyond, nonetheless, tell at times a different story. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

facts facts from real life facts of life factsheet factual factual account