a little move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little move" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small action or adjustment, often in a physical or metaphorical context. Example: "With a little move of her hand, she gestured for him to come closer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"He had a little move on him".

The New York Times - Sports

"I make a little move, and that gets huge coverage," Mr. Kim added.

The New York Times

"You come into a league, a respectful league like this, and you try a little move like that.

The New York Times - Sports

12.22am GMT 49ers 20-17 Packers, 9 06 4th quarter On 2nd and 9, Nelson looks to be short of the first down, but a little move right, a little move left, means he finds enough room to extend his catch and run - a nifty play from the GB wideout.

The Guardian - Sport

It seemed like I tried to make a little move to the short side, but the speed that I was going at carried me to the opposite post, and I got hooked.

The New York Times

Now Kessel makes a little move to her left and backhands to Labonté's glove side - she handles it but in the meantime there's a huge hit by Lauriane Rougeau and she'll go away for that.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It was all rather fascinating, and more than a little moving.

Independent

I find it hard not to feel a little moved at the same time.

The New Yorker

It's hard not to feel a little moved – a feeling that makes Lewis simultaneously elated and crestfallen.

The Guardian

It was hard not to be a little moved, and not to feel relieved that the words being sung were, more or less, safe.

The New Yorker

You can, for example, monitor your fuel consumption via a little moving digital slide-rule-like bar mounted in a window beneath the oversized blue-lit speedo.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little move" to describe minor physical actions, strategic adjustments, or subtle shifts in plans. Ensure the context makes it clear that the action is not significant or large-scale.

Common error

Avoid using "a little move" when describing actions with significant consequences. This can create understatement and misrepresent the true impact of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little move" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a small action or adjustment, implying a minimal degree of change or displacement. Ludwig examples confirm its role in describing minor physical actions or strategic shifts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little move" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a minor action or adjustment. As Ludwig AI points out, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, most commonly appearing in News & Media. While source quality is high, it's important to remember that this phrase suggests a subtle and almost insignificant change, and should not be used when describing actions with large impacts. To express similar ideas, alternatives like "a slight adjustment" or "a minor shift" can be used to add nuance and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight adjustment

Emphasizes the small degree of change or modification, focusing on precision.

a minor shift

Highlights a change in direction or position, though small in scale.

a gentle nudge

Implies a small push or encouragement, often subtly applied.

a small gesture

Focuses on the action as a signal or expression of intent.

a delicate maneuver

Suggests care and precision in a small action.

a subtle alteration

Highlights the barely perceptible nature of the change.

a measured step

Implies careful planning and control in the action.

a fractional change

Emphasizes the minuscule degree of modification.

a limited adjustment

Highlights the restrictions or bounds on the adjustment made.

a controlled motion

Indicates that the move is executed with intention and restraint.

FAQs

How can I use "a little move" in a sentence?

You can use "a little move" to describe a slight adjustment or a minor action, as in, "With "a little move", he repositioned the chess piece."

What's a good substitute for "a little move"?

Depending on the context, you could use "a slight adjustment", "a minor shift", or "a gentle nudge".

Is it ever incorrect to use "a little move"?

Yes, it can be misleading if the action being described has significant or far-reaching consequences. It's best used for actions that are truly minor.

What is the difference between "a little move" and "a major change"?

"A little move" indicates a small, often subtle adjustment, whereas "a major change" implies a significant, large-scale transformation. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of impact and scope.