false move

a/one false move

An action that threatens to worsen an already precarious situation. We didn't call the police because the robber said he'd hurt anyone who made a false move. If we make one false move now, we're liable to lose the house we're bidding on. I could never do a sport where one false move can lead to death—like rock climbing, for instance.

See also: false, move, one

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

false move

 and one false move

Fig. [even] a single movement that indicates that one is disobeying an order to remain still or in a nonthreatening posture. The robber threatened to shoot us if we made one false move.

See also: false, move

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

(make) a/one false ˈmove

(informal) in an already dangerous or risky situation, something which makes your position even more dangerous: She’s in a difficult financial situation, and if she makes a false move now she could lose everything. ♢ ‘One false move and you’re dead,’ he shouted at the bank clerk.

See also: false, move, one

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017