be grounded

1. informal To be required to stay at home and forgo social activities, as by one's parents as a punishment. You have quite a potty mouth! If I hear you speaking like that around your grandmother again, you're going to be grounded for a week! My parents found out about my C average in Geometry, so I'm grounded—which means I can't go to the dance with you guys on Friday. My brother always got caught when he would try to sneak out, so I'm not even going to attempt it. I don't want to be grounded by my parents!

2. To be unable or forbidden to fly, as of an airplane. The plane is grounded until this thunderstorm passes us by. A: "Please tell me the whole fleet doesn't have to be grounded." B: "I'm afraid it does, sir, at least until we have more data about this engine issue." The plane is grounded until it can be adequately de-iced.

3. To feel calm, safe, and present in one's body and environment. Can we do some yoga poses for anxiety? I'm not very grounded today. Before calling the unhappy client back, I took a deep breath to ensure that I was grounded. If she lashed out at you like that, she's definitely not grounded. I bet she's upset about something else in her life and just taking it out on you.