gain ground

gain ¹  (gn)

v. gained, gain·ing, gains

v.tr.

1. To come into possession or use of; acquire: gained a small fortune in real estate; gained vital information about the enemy's plans.

2. To attain in competition or struggle; win: gained a decisive victory; gained control of the company.

3. To obtain through effort or merit; achieve: gain recognition; gain a hearing for the proposal.

4. To secure as profit or reward; earn: gain a living; gain extra credits in school.

5.

a. To manage to achieve an increase of: a movement that gained strength; gained wisdom with age.

b. To increase by (a specific amount): gained 15 pounds; the market gained 30 points.

6. To come to; reach: gained the top of the mountain. See Synonyms at reach.

7. To become fast by (a specified amount of time). Used of a timepiece: My watch gains four minutes a day.

v.intr.

1. To increase; grow: gained in experience and maturity; a painting that gained in value.

2. To become better; improve: gaining in health.

3. To obtain a profit or advantage; benefit: stood to gain politically by his opponent's blunder.

4.

a. To close a gap; get closer: The runners in the back gained steadily on the leader.

b. To increase a lead.

5. To put on weight: I began to gain when I went off my diet.

6. To operate or run fast. Used of a timepiece.

n.

1.

a. Something gained or acquired: territorial gains.

b. Progress; advancement: The country made economic gains under the new government.

2. The act of acquiring; attainment.

3. An increase in amount or degree: a gain in operating income.

4. Electronics An increase in signal power, voltage, or current by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input. Also called amplification.

Idioms:

gain ground

To progress, advance, or increase: Stock prices gained ground yesterday.

gain time

1. To run too fast. Used of a timepiece.

2. To delay or prolong something until a desired event occurs.

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[From Middle English gayne, booty (from Old French gaigne, gain, gain, from gaaignier, to gain, of Germanic origin; see wei- in Indo-European roots) and Middle English gein, advantage (from Old Norse gegn, ready, and from Old French gain, gain).]

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gain ²  (gn)

n.

A notch or mortise cut into a board to receive another part.

tr.v. gained, gain·ing, gains

1. To cut out a gain in.

2. To join by or fit into a gain.

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[Origin unknown.]

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

gain ground - obtain advantages, such as points, etc.; "The home team was gaining ground"; "After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference" get ahead, make headway, pull ahead, win, gain, advance steal - steal a base rack up, score, tally, hit - gain points in a game; "The home team scored many times"; "He hit a home run"; "He hit .300 in the past season"