shift ground


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shift (one's) ground

To adopt a different viewpoint or opinion. I was shocked when Liz suddenly shifted her ground and started seeing things as I did.
See also: ground, shift

shift one's ground

Fig. to change one's opinions or arguments, often without being challenged or opposed. At first Jack and I were on opposite sides, but he suddenly shifted ground and started agreeing with me. Jim has very fixed views. You won't find him shifting his ground.
See also: ground, shift
References in periodicals archive ?
When in 1640-41 defeat forced Charles to shift ground most dramatically, Donald's search for such moderate Scottish "counsel" necessarily peters out, mainly because Charles was by-passed by his Scottish and English parliaments, and negotiations with the Scots were taken over by the English Councillor Bristol -- whose success, over several months, in leading the king down the paths of concession (ostensibly the one success for "moderate" counsels in this period) is largley unexplained here.
An Uncounselled King: Charles I and the Scottish Troubles, 1637-1641
Faced with nearly solid opposition from Senate Democrats, Boland has left open the possibility of accepting the council's position - prompting Ferraro and Deaton to shift ground.
LAWMAKERS TARGET BOLAND BILL : POLANCO OPTS TO PUSH FLOOR VOTE, SAYS `SHE LOST HER CHANCE'
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