THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Thin on the ground
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Available or present only in small numbers or amounts.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Volunteers are thin on the ground during the holiday weekend.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Volunteers are ________ during the holiday weekend.
Show the answer
Thin on the ground — Available or present only in small numbers or amounts.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Thin on the ground” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
Available or present only in small numbers or amounts.
Compare: Volunteers are thin on the ground during the holiday weekend.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this British expression when people, resources or opportunities are scarce. It is natural in conversation and general writing.
More examples in context
- Affordable rehearsal rooms are thin on the ground in this area.
- Useful examples were thin on the ground, so we created our own.
Usage note
Keep “the ground”, even when discussing something abstract such as evidence. Match the verb to the subject: “helpers are” but “evidence is” thin on the ground.
A short conversation
A: Do we have enough helpers for Sunday?
B: They’re a bit thin on the ground. We still need two more.
A: I’ll ask the members who haven’t replied.
One more practice question
If suitable rooms are thin on the ground, what is the situation?
A. Few suitable rooms are available.
B. Suitable rooms are plentiful everywhere.
Check your answer
A. The expression describes scarcity rather than abundance.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.