to break ground

Webster's Dictionary (1913)

. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) Nautical To release the anchor from the bottom.

From the entry Break.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54