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in on the ground floor
01
used to say that someone has been involved in something from its early stages
What is the origin of the idiom "in on the ground floor" and when to use it?
The idiom "in on the ground floor" originated in the world of real estate and construction. It originally referred to being involved in a project or venture from its initial stages, particularly when a building was being constructed, and had a literal connotation of starting from the first floor of a building, which is the ground floor. Over time, it evolved into a figurative expression, denoting the opportunity to participate in or witness the early development of a venture, idea, or trend, with the implication that those involved from the outset have a potential advantage.
Example
If you want to influence the direction of the project, make sure to be in on the ground floor to contribute your ideas from the beginning.
John was lucky to be in on the ground floor of the startup company, and now he's a major shareholder as it flourishes.
She joined the research team at the ground level, which meant she was in on the ground floor of some groundbreaking discoveries in science.
Being in on the ground floor of a new artistic movement allowed her to establish herself as a pioneer in the art world.
Investing in cryptocurrency when it was just emerging allowed her to be in on the ground floor of a financial revolution.
