What literary device would best explain the phrase "Boots on the ground" in a military context?

The phrase "Boots on the ground" is an example of synecdoche, a literary device where a part of something is used to represent the whole or vice versa. In this case, "boots" refers specifically to soldiers who are physically present in a location, particularly in a military context. The term emphasizes the soldiers’ actual presence and active engagement in a situation, using the specific aspect of the military—boots, which are commonly associated with troops.

By using "boots" to stand in for the entire group of soldiers, the phrase encapsulates the idea of military personnel being deployed and implies their readiness and involvement in the operations taking place. This use of a physical object (the boots) effectively conveys a larger concept (the soldiers and their actions), which is characteristic of synecdoche. This device enriches the language by allowing a more vivid mental image while communicating effectively in a relatively concise manner.