move
noun
Definitions of move noun
position
- C2Singular
An act of changing position or location.
She pressed the muzzle against his temple, warning, “Make a single move, and you’re dead.”
I dislike how my manager is always observing my every single move.
Their every move was closely scrutinized by the media.
game
- Countable
In board games, it refers to the act of changing a piece's position, adhering to the rules, or a player’s turn to do so.
Mastering all the possible moves in chess requires considerable time.
It is now your turn to make a move.
He studied the strategy behind each move.
location
- C1Countable
An instance of relocating to a new place for living or working.
We’ve relocated four times in the span of three years.
They are planning a move next month.
It was a major move for them.
action
- C1Countable
A specific action taken to accomplish a goal.
Purchasing those shares was a shrewd move.
This initiative to improve childcare services has been positively received.
The city council is taking steps to improve traffic in the urban area.
verb
Definitions of move verb
position
- A2TransitiveIntransitive
To change position or cause something to change position.
I'm so cold I can’t move my fingers.
Could you help me move this table to the back room?
Can we move the meeting from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.?
game
- TransitiveIntransitive
To change the position of a piece in a board game.
In chess, the pieces can only be moved according to the rules.
He thought carefully about how to move his pieces next.
She successfully moved her queen and won the game.
location
- B1Intransitive
To relocate to a different place to live or work.
We are moving to Paris.
They have bought a new house, but they still have a lot to do before they can move in.
I heard that Paula has moved in with her boyfriend.
development
- TransitiveIntransitive
To progress, change, or develop in a specific way or direction.
The judge’s decision will allow the case to move forward.
If you want to move ahead in your career, you will need to work harder.
Share prices moved up/down slowly yesterday.
influence
- Transitive
To cause someone to take action.
I can't imagine what moved him to say such a thing.
What moved her to make such a significant decision?
He was moved by a desire for justice.
opinion
- TransitiveIntransitive
To change an opinion or the way you live or work, or to cause someone to do so.
He has already made up his mind, and nothing you say will move him on the issue.
More and more people are moving away from/towards vegetarianism.
They are moving away from traditional methods towards more modern techniques.
emotion
- B2Transitive
To cause someone to experience strong feelings such as sadness, sympathy, happiness, or admiration.
She said she was deeply moved by all the sympathy letters she had received.
It was such a touching movie that it moved him to tears.
His speech deeply moved the hearts of the audience.
commerce
- TransitiveIntransitive
To sell something, especially goods or products.
No one wants to buy these toys—we just can’t move them.
This new shampoo is moving really fast.
They were trying to move the old furniture.
social
- IntransitiveVerb + adv/prep
To spend time with particular people.
She moves in a very small circle of people.
He often moves among the local artists.
She likes to move among those who share her interests.
proposal
- TransitiveIntransitivepoliticsspecialized
To formally suggest something, especially at a meeting or in court.
A vote was just about to be taken when someone stood up and said they wished to move an amendment.
I move that the proposal be accepted.
Your Honor, we wish to move for the dismissal of the charges.
health
- TransitiveIntransitive
(Especially for medical use) To pass the contents of the bowels out of the body.
The doctor asked him if he'd moved his bowels that day.
She has difficulty moving her bowels due to constipation.
The nurse documented his bowel movements.
Phrases of move verb
- move house
To relocate from one's current residence to a new one.
• They are considering moving house to be closer to work.
Idioms
- not move a muscle
To remain completely still; to not make any movement.
• When the teacher walked into the classroom, all the students did not move a muscle.
- make a move
To depart or leave a particular location.
• It's getting late; we should make a move.
- move heaven and Earth
To make the greatest possible effort to achieve something.
• She moved heaven and earth to get her child into that school.
- make the first move
To be the first to initiate an action.
• After months of deadlock, neither side was willing to make the first move to break the impasse in negotiations.
- get a move on
To start moving or acting more quickly; to hurry up.
• We need to get a move on, or we'll miss the start of the movie.
- be on the move
To be physically active or in a state of motion.
• She has been on the move all day and barely had time to sit down.
- move heaven and earth
To make every possible effort or attempt to achieve a desired outcome.
• He moved heaven and earth to make his new business a success.
- move on to bigger/better things
To advance to a more favorable position or situation, typically indicating a promotion, a better job, or an improved life.
• She left that company to move on to bigger and better things.
- move it!
An expression used to urge someone to act or move more quickly.
• We're going to be late, move it!
- move with the times
To adapt to changes and become more modern in response to evolving attitudes or trends.
• To stay ahead in the competitive market, the company must move with the times.
Phrasal Verbs of move
- move out
to cease residing at a specific location
• She decided to move out of her apartment to find a bigger place.
- move on
to depart from your current location and relocate to another place
• He decided to move on to the city for better job opportunities.
- move off something/on (to something)
to switch from discussing or writing about one topic to another
• During the meeting, we need to move off the current budget discussion and onto future projects.
- move someone/something in
When the police, army, or any authoritative group initiates action or is directed to do so, they assert control or engage to address a challenging or perilous circumstance.
• The police moved in quickly at the protest site to prevent the situation from escalating.
- move in on something/someone
To move nearer to a person or location with the intent to attack or gain control.
• The police began to move in on the suspect to prepare for the arrest.