break ground

I promised to break ground on it; I know not whether I have even managed to do that.

I'll go get that rotted stump dirt before I break ground for the lilacs, and you can think about things while you wait.

"A severe night, sir," said I, endeavouring to break ground in conversation.

In 1786 Pitt availed himself of the opening of the session to induce his friend to break ground.

All were driven into the fort and the enemy began by sundown to break ground within 100 yards of the fort.

“Tell him we will break ground at daylight to-morrow, Matabele,” said Wyzinski, and the interview ended.

The troops will break ground immediately, falling back from their position of Dil Kooshah and the Martiniere.

He had got a firmer hold on Hunter now and he meant to break ground for the next attack by picking up Winthrop's trail.

As the ferret enters the hole the rabbits flee before it, and are shot or caught by dogs as they break ground.

I know your style of fighting men, Crane; you want to make me break ground, and drive me step by step round the garden.