happy hunting ground

noun

1
: the paradise of some American Indian tribes to which the souls of warriors and hunters pass after death to spend a happy hereafter in hunting and feasting
2
: a choice or profitable area of activity or exploitation

Examples of happy hunting ground in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Old Trafford has been a happy hunting ground down the years for Manchester City great Vincent Kompany, and his Burnley team made the short journey looking to boost their faint hopes of English Premier League survival. San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024 Over the past decade, France’s top tier has been a happy hunting ground for Premier League scouts, with English clubs spending £1.81billion ($2.34bn) on Ligue 1 players, more than in any other nation. Richard Amofa, The Athletic, 26 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of happy hunting ground was in 1826

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Cite this Entry

“Happy hunting ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happy%20hunting%20ground. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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