move (redirected from moved)

as/when the spirit moves you (humorous)

if you do something when the spirit moves you, you only do it when you want to. He'll cook now and again, when the spirit moves him.

See also: spirit

change/keep up/move with the times

to change your way of living or working to make it modern. I don't really like using a computer, but you have to move with the times, I suppose.

See also: change, keep, times

come/go down in the world (British, Australian, American, American & Australian)

to have less money and a worse social position than you had before. They used to live in a big house with lots of servants, but they've come down in the world since then. When we had to sell our house and take a small apartment downtown, we felt we'd really moved down in the world.

See also: come, down, world

come/go up in the world (British, Australian, American, American & Australian)

come/go down in the world - to have less money and a worse social position than you had before. Peter and Ann have gone up in the world - they only ever travel first class these days.

See also: come, world

the earth moved (humorous)

something that you say to describe how good a sexual experience was. 'How was it for you?' 'Ooh, the earth moved!'. Did the earth move for you?

See also: earth

get a move on (informal)

to hurry. Get a move on, man! We don't have all day. (often an order) Simon realised he'd have to get a move on if he was to finish by 4 o'clock.

make a move

1. to do something in order to achieve a particular result. Who will make the first move towards resolving the dispute? There were plenty of witnesses to the attack, but nobody made a move to stop it. (often + to do something)

(British, informal)

2. to leave a place. It's getting late - perhaps we ought to make a move.

make a move on someone (informal)

to try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone. As soon as Ellen left the room, her boyfriend made a move on me.

not move a muscle

to stay completely still. She sat without moving a muscle as the nurse injected the anaesthetic.

See also: muscle

move heaven and earth

to do everything you can to achieve something. I moved heaven and earth to get you that interview, and you didn't even bother to show up for it! (usually + to do something)

See also: earth, heaven

move in for the kill

to prepare to defeat someone completely in an argument or competition when they are already in a weak position. After two days of constant media coverage, journalists sensed the minister was weakening and they moved in for the kill. At 6-3 6-2 up, Sampras went in for the kill and won the final set 6-0.

See also: kill

move mountains

1. if someone or someone's beliefs or feelings can move mountains, they can achieve something that is very difficult. If faith can move mountains, we'll win the Cup.

2. if you would move mountains for someone, they are so important to you that you would do anything to please them. He'd move mountains for her but she treats him like dirt.

See also: mountain

move the goalposts (British, American & Australian, American)

to change the rules in a situation in a way that is not fair, usually in order to make it more difficult for someone to achieve something. My boss is never satisfied. Whenever I think I've done what he wants, he moves the goalposts.

Move/Shift your arse! (very informal!)

something that you say to tell someone to hurry or to get out of your way. Shift your arse! We're late.

See also: arse, shift

move/step up a gear

to start to work or play more effectively or quickly than before. With just five lengths to go, the German swimmer stepped up a gear and edged ahead to win the race.

See also: gear, step

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get a move on

to hurry. Simon realized he'd have to get a move on if he was going to finish by 4 o'clock.

Usage notes: sometimes used as an order: Get a move on, Corey – you don't want to be late!

make a move on someone

to show someone you are sexually attracted to them. Farnsworth made a move on my sister when she was only 17.

make your/its move

to do something to achieve a result. My father always waited to buy our Christmas tree, and I worried that by the time he made his move the best trees would be gone. The Federal Reserve made its move yesterday, cutting interest rates for the third time this year. Some of his advisors think he should make a move for the presidency soon.

make no move

to do nothing. Mac made no move to help her. Although suspicion for the killing fell on the group, the police made no move against it.

move away from something

to change your ideas about something. He had moved away from the liberalism of his earlier heroes.

See also: away, from

move heaven and earth (to do something)

to do everything possible to achieve a result. I have instructed police to move heaven and earth to find whoever is responsible for this terrible crime.

See also: earth, heaven

move heaven and earth (to do something)

heaven forbid

See also: earth, heaven

move in on something

to take control of a place or event. Drug dealers moved in on the cafe and scared away the customers. Commercial sponsors moved in on athletic competitions to sell their products.

move mountains

to achieve something difficult. Voters in his district have always recognized their representative's ability to move mountains.

See also: mountain

move on

to do something different. He wrote popular songs in the 1920s but moved on to become a producer of musicals in the 1940s. When someone dies, you need to go through certain rituals so you can finally move on.

move over

to stop having a job, rank, or condition. Kurt said that it was time to move over and let younger players have a chance to play professionally. Move over “Star Wars” – “Titanic” is now the movie with the biggest earnings in North America.

See also: over

moved to tears

feeling very emotional, like you are going to cry. She was moved to tears several times by the kindness of complete strangers who were searching for survivors of the explosions.

See also: tear

on the move

very busy or active. Baby boomers don't accept the effects of aging – they want to stay on the move.

(when) the spirit moves you

when you want to or feel ready to. When the spirit moved her, she would work through the night. Public opinion can take a sharp turn any time the spirit moves them.

See also: spirit