What does “Get in on the ground floor” mean?

"Get in on the ground floor" means to become involved in something at the beginning or at an early stage.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I decided to get in on the ground floor of the new startup.

Example

He was lucky to get in on the ground floor of the real estate development.

Example

She wanted to get in on the ground floor of the fashion trend before it became popular

Is “Get in on the ground floor” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Get in on the ground floor” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Get in on the ground floor” effectively in context?

You can use "Get in on the ground floor" to express the idea of becoming involved in something at the beginning or at an early stage. It implies the opportunity to be part of something new and potentially successful. For example, if a friend tells you about a new business venture, you might say, 'That sounds promising! I want to get in on the ground floor.'

1Investment
He decided to get in on the ground floor of the cryptocurrency market and bought Bitcoin when it was still relatively unknown.
2Career
She was excited to get in on the ground floor of the tech industry by joining a startup company.
3Trends
They were able to get in on the ground floor of the health and wellness trend by starting their own organic food business.

Similar phrases to “Get in on the ground floor”:

Jump on the bandwagon

To join or support something that is already popular or successful

Example

She decided to jump on the bandwagon and invest in the booming real estate market.

Catch the wave

To take advantage of an emerging trend or opportunity

Example

He wanted to catch the wave of the electric vehicle industry and started his own EV charging station business.

Strike while the iron is hot

To take action at the right moment or when conditions are favorable

Example

They decided to strike while the iron was hot and launch their new product during the holiday season.

Be ahead of the curve

To be ahead or in advance of others in terms of knowledge, skills, or trends

Example

She always tries to be ahead of the curve by attending industry conferences and staying updated on the latest developments.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Get in on the ground floor” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Get in on the ground floor" is unknown.

Is “Get in on the ground floor” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Get in on the ground floor" is a common idiom in everyday conversation. It is often used in business and investment contexts, but can also be applied to other areas such as careers and trends.

What tone does “Get in on the ground floor” have?

"Get in on the ground floor" conveys a tone of opportunity and excitement. It suggests the chance to be part of something new and potentially successful.

Can “Get in on the ground floor” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "Get in on the ground floor" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is commonly used in business and investment discussions, but can also be used in casual conversations with friends and colleagues.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I want to get in on the ground floor of this new project.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'I'm going to "get in on the ground floor"!' to express eagerness to be part of something new.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

join at the beginning
enter at an early stage
be part of the initial phase
get in early
start from the beginning

Antonyms

miss the boat
join late
come in at the end
be left behind
arrive after the fact