find common ground

find common ground

To find shared ideas, interests, or beliefs, especially between people who often disagree. I was worried when my boyfriend and uncle started arguing over their different political views, but luckily they found common ground when discussing their favorite TV shows.
See also: common, find, ground
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

find common ground

COMMON If two people or groups who generally disagree find common ground, they find a particular subject or opinion that they agree about. The participants seem unable to find common ground on the issue of agriculture. Both leaders were keen to stress that they were seeking to find common ground. Note: You can also say that people or groups are on common ground. Mike and I were on common ground. We both wanted what was in the best interests of the company.
See also: common, find, ground
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
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References in periodicals archive ?
Discussions overseen by the Justice Department are continuing, and all sides remain optimistic they can find common ground on the ownership question and other issues to complete the deal, however, sources told the Journal.
T-Mobile, Sprint negotiations slow over Dish ownership, WSJ reports
Allred is the executive director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse and the creator of the CommonSense American program, which aims to bring together people from across political parties to find common ground on various issues and then advocate for those positions to the government.
Allred, Otter join to promote civil discourse program
Summary: The UAE has made it clear that Sudan's civilian and military leaders must find common ground.
KT EDIT: Sudan must take the path to compromise
The Labour leader wants to meet "at the earliest opportunity" to "find common ground" on proposals for a softer Brexit - including a permanent customs union, or another referendum.
Jezza asks SNP to get round table
Polarized: The Collapse of Truth, Civility, and Community in Divided Times and How We Can Find Common Ground
Polarized: The Collapse of Truth, Civility, and Community in Divided Times and How We Can Find Common Ground
While the backstop is just a fudge, Parliament must either try to find common ground on the EU withdrawal or face being lambasted as nothing more than Muppet Show extras by generations to come Andy McDonald Tile Hill
Our country is so divided; LETTERS Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@coventrytelegraph.net Twitter: @coventrytelegraph Facebook: facebook.com/coventrytelegraph Post: Coventry Telegraph, Leicester Row, Canal Basin, Coventry, CV1 4LY
John Harold, the charity's director, said farming and conservation had begun to find common ground in recent years.
Payments row re-opens old rift
Jubouri called on all parties to a comprehensive and effective political dialogue to find common ground that would ease the political tension in the country and reach realistic solutions that meet the aspirations of the Iraqi people./ End
Jubouri, Amiri Discuss Efforts To Reach Agreements To Form The Next Government
Obama said that he could find common ground with people who disagree with the Paris accord on climate change - which Donald Trump wants to pull the US out of - if they have an argument based on fact.
Mandela lecture: Barack Obama condemns disregard for facts
Talking to a private news channel, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said that there is a need to find common ground in diplomacy, for resolving the issues.
Pakistan apprises US to address concerns for moving forward: FO
Briefing the American press through a video conference from Afghanistan on Tuesday, he said the State Department has been engaged 'heavily' with Pakistan and India to find common ground for cooperation in the future with regards to Afghanistan.
Pakistan off limits to US forces:Bunch
He had also assured the army chief that the US is ready to play its role in addressing Pakistan's legitimate concerns, saying he wanted to find common ground rather than make demands.
US to seek common ground with Pakistan for Afghan reconciliation: Pentagon
Washington:The meeting of US defence secretary Jim Mattis with the leaders of Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad early this week was to find common ground in the fight against terrorism, the Pentagon said on Friday, reports The Firstpost.She said the effort was to broaden the relationship between the two countries.
Mattis' meeting with Pakistan's leaders was to broaden Pak-US relationship: Pentagon
Summary: Leaders find common ground in planning and development methods and priorities
Time and cost matter, project management forum hears
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