Thick/thin on the ground
phrase
Present in large/low numbers or amounts.
In the early morning, birds are thick on the ground. But by afternoon, they're rather thin on the ground.
Often appears as...
- jobs are thin on the ground
- opportunities are thick on the ground
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Usage Frequency
The phrase isn't commonly used in everyday English, but it's useful for descriptive writing or speeches.
During the festival, food stalls were thick on the ground.
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Imagery
The phrase creates a visual image of abundance or scarcity, like a blanket of leaves that's thick or thin.
After the sale, deals were thin on the ground.
Pro Tip 3/3Variation in Use
The phrase can describe physical presence or the availability of non-physical things like chances.
At the carnival, entertainers were thick on the ground.
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