Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) to suspend from work; usu. as grounded.

1940		M. Levin Citizens 43: Ladislas Wyznowieki, craneman, why was he grounded?
1942		Berrey & Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Sl.

2. (orig. US, also house) to restrict someone, usu. an errant teenager, from enjoying their regular social life as a punishment for some real or perceived misdemeanour; usu. as grounded.

1950		Felsen Hot Rod 74: It didn’t matter about his being grounded [HDAS].
1965		K. Marlowe Mr Madam (1967) 46: I was grounded for two weeks.
1979		Lette & Carey Puberty Blues 1: Rain, snow, hail or [...] being grounded, nothing could keep us from the surf.
1989		T. Blacker Fixx 280: Certain people in government will be none too pleased with you if I’m grounded.
1991		R. Doyle Van (1998) 391: You’re grounded, he told the twins [...] Till when? said Tracy. – Till I say so, said Jimmy Sr.
1999		T. Parker South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut [film script] sheila: So, boys. You saw that movie, again? children: [resignedly] Yes. sheila: Well Kyle, I have had it! You are grounded for the next two weeks!
2003		A.N. LeBlanc Random Family 295: Sometimes she grounded Mercedes – ‘Go to your room, you’re not seeing no street.’.
2018		G. Disher Kill Shot [ebook] Sam Kramer had been grounded [i.e. forfeit privileges in prison].
2019		C. Hammer Silver [ebook] His mother [...] grounding him for a month.
2021		L. McInerney Rules of Revelation 216: ‘I don’t remember what we thought we’d do.’ ‘Give you a talking-to,’ her mother said. ‘Ground you’.