Grammar fix
thin on the ground
scarce or limited
Used to say that there are very few people or things available in a particular place or situation.
How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Experienced nurses are thin on the ground in some rural areas.
In my town, opportunities for young musicians are quite thin on the ground, so many talented people move to larger cities.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Good jobs are thin in the ground.
Say: Good jobs are thin on the ground.
The fixed expression uses 'on the ground', not 'in the ground'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Very hard to find
How formal?ConversationalMore formal
thin on the groundYou're here · Mainly British: too few people or things are available.
few and far betweenExamples or opportunities are uncommon and widely separated.scarceThe plain, more formal adjective: 'Water is scarce.' Common in news and writing; the idioms are chattier.