phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Stomping ground(s)

Posted by James Briggs on March 12, 2002

In Reply to: Stomping ground(s) posted by Marian on March 12, 2002

: In a letter recently I used the term " old stomping grounds" to refer to a female friend's general area of residence when she was coming of age. Later I wondered if this was correct. If "stomping ground(s)" is akin to an area where bucks, for example, strut their stuff and paw the ground during rutting season, perhaps I'm on shaky ground using "stomping ground(s)" as a female's growing-up place.

In the UK 'stomping ground' is used for any place where a person regularly hangs out (where did that expression come from?). A person may have several such 'grounds' each indicating a particular activity , such where they often danced or watched soccer games etc. There's nothing derogatory in the phrase, although, like many expressions, it may take on a special meaning within a group or club.

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.