grass roots

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grass roots (also grass·roots / ˈgrasˌroōts/ ) • pl. n. the most basic level of an activity or organization: the whole campaign would be conducted at the grass roots. | [as adj.] trying to improve the sport's image at the grass-roots level. ∎  ordinary people regarded as the main body of an organization's membership: you have lost touch with the grass roots of the party.