terra firma

terra +‎ firma; Latin terra (“land”), Latin firma (“solid”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌtɛɹ.ə ˈfɜː.mə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌtɛɹ.ə ˈfɝ.mə/

terra firma (uncountable)

1. Continental land, as distinguished from islands.
2. (colloquial) Land, as opposed to water or air.
   • 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter VII:

     I […] turned the handle softly, pushed – also softly – and, carrying on into the interior, found myself confronted by a girl in housemaid's costume who put a hand to her throat like somebody in a play and leaped several inches in the direction of the ceiling. “Coo!” she said, having returned to terra firma and taken aboard a spot of breath. “You gave me a start, sir!”

   • 2019 November 13, “Reize – Showdown Character Highlight”, in yachtclubgames.com‎, Yacht Club Games, archived from the original on November 27, 2020, Dive Kick:

     Reize is a floaty character (thanks to that scarf), so this kick can be great for quickly getting back to terra firma or to that game-winning gem!

• (land, as opposed to water or air): dry land, solid ground