lose ground

Whether they would do so or lose ground must quickly appear.

You have no chance to hit him, and will cause Billy to lose ground.

It did not seem to gain on them, but neither did it lose ground.

I am in strange ups and downs, and seven times a day I lose ground.

He is likely, therefore, to lose ground with the first, while not gaining it with the second.

To swerve was to lose ground, but he dared not take the risk.

I think we lose ground sometimes by parleying with the tempter.

Hollister soon perceived that if he were not to lose ground he must have labor.

Their steeds were good and fresh, but their pursuers were evidently well mounted, for they did not seem to lose ground.

If their galley began to lose ground the petty officers would rain curses on their heads and blows on their backs.