a topic or area that has previously been the subject of sufficient discussion or analysis, rendering further work unnecessary; used when the speaker desires to steer the conversation in another direction while softly deflecting someone’s enthusiasm; instead of “We already looked into using blockchain for employee reviews, it’s time to move on Jeff”, a speaker could instead interject “No need to reopen that topic, it’s plowed ground”; the metaphor breaks down when one considers that plowed ground must yet be sown, cultivated, and eventually reaped; the term may also refer to a market that is saturated or otherwise adequately addressed, suggesting that one must look elsewhere for viable opportunities, as in “I don’t see an opening for another cupcake bakery chain, that market is plowed ground”
I’m a management consultant and writer serving organizations both large (Fortune 500) and small (nonprofit) on a range of strategic issues
I send a regular email on management, with a dose of humor to keep it interesting. Want in? Sign up below.