thin on the ground

thin on the ground

Not plentiful or abundant; scarce. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. That type of bird is thin on the ground these days—I hope it's not going extinct.

See also: ground, on, thin

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

thin on the ground

BRITISH

COMMON If people or things are thin on the ground, there are very few of them. Good players are thin on the ground and clubs are having to recruit abroad. Yacht facilities are a bit thin on the ground in the remote Falkland Islands.

See also: ground, on, thin

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

thick/thin on the ˈground

(British English) if people or things are thick/thin on the ground, there are a lot/not many of them in a place: Customers are thin on the ground at this time of year. ♢ Good science teachers are thin on the ground.

See also: ground, on, thick, thin

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017