The term 'BROKEN GROUND' can be BROKEN down into two words, 'BROKEN' and 'GROUND'. The word 'BROKEN' means to have been damaged or destroyed, while the word 'GROUND' refers to the surface of the earth. Together, the phrase 'BROKEN GROUND' can refer to land that has been disturbed or altered in some way, such as through construction or excavation. The crossword solution for this term is 'BEGUN', which implies that the process of breaking the GROUND has already started.