to be grounded

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   to be kept at home as a punishment and not allowed to go out with friends

   Grammar: Used mainly about children or teenagers. The active form is 'ground someone'.

   Patterns

   • be grounded for something
   • be grounded for a period of time

   She was grounded for a week after she broke her curfew.

   He is grounded because he didn't do his homework.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   to be mentally stable and realistic, with a clear understanding of what is important

   Grammar: Often used to describe a person who is not easily upset by fame or success.

   Patterns

   • be grounded in reality
   • stay grounded

   Despite her sudden fame, she remains grounded and kind to everyone.

   He is very grounded and doesn't let success go to his head.

3. 3phrasefixed phrase

   to be prevented from flying, especially for medical or disciplinary reasons

   Grammar: Used for pilots or aircraft. The active form is 'ground someone/something'.

   Patterns

   • be grounded for a period
   • be grounded by an authority

   The pilot was grounded for two weeks after the incident.

   All planes were grounded because of the storm.

Common combinations

be grounded for a week

After breaking the rules, he was grounded for a week.

stay grounded

It's important to stay grounded when you become successful.

well grounded

She is well grounded and handles pressure calmly.

grounded in reality

His ideas are grounded in reality, not fantasy.

Synonyms and how they differ

confined

More general; it means kept in a place, not necessarily as a punishment.

practical

Focuses on being sensible and realistic, not on being punished.

Opposites

Word family

ground verb

to punish by not allowing to go out

grounding noun

the act of punishing a child by keeping them at home

Commonly confused: to be grounded or ground?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “to be grounded”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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