get things moving

USAGE SUMMARY

"get things moving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to encourage someone to take action and get a process started. For example: "Let's get things moving and get this project finished by next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That will get things moving".

The New York Times

The two sides need to get things moving.

The New York Times

It would certainly get things moving again in the Valley.

The Economist

Early talks with American officials might get things moving.

The New York Times

"I like to get things moving straight away," he says.

The Guardian

He is keen to get things moving quickly.

The Guardian

Despite my colleague Chris Cook's desire to get things moving.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, we think the burden is on Mr. Netanyahu to get things moving again.

The New York Times

THE only man who can get things moving in Russia is Mr Putin himself.

The Economist

Yet no one seems enough in charge at the top to get things moving now.

The Economist

Bennet's aides could call the managers of both restaurants, and get things moving along.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "initiate action" or "expedite the process" to maintain a professional tone while conveying the same urgency.

Common error

While "get things moving" is widely understood, it can sound too informal in certain professional settings. Opt for more sophisticated phrasing such as "advance the agenda" or "catalyze progress" to ensure your tone is appropriate for the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get things moving" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression used to encourage or initiate action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English, often appearing when there is a need to prompt progress or commence a task. Examples throughout Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to urge forward movement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get things moving" is a versatile idiomatic phrase used to encourage action and initiate progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usability. It is most commonly found in News & Media but may be too informal for certain professional settings. Alternatives like "initiate action" or "expedite the process" can be used to maintain a more formal tone. When used appropriately, "get things moving" is an effective way to motivate and stimulate action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set in motion

Emphasizes the act of initiating a process or plan.

kick-start

Implies a sudden burst of energy to begin or revive something.

initiate action

A more formal way to express beginning a process or task.

start the ball rolling

An idiomatic expression for beginning an activity or project.

get the ball rolling

Similar to 'start the ball rolling', but slightly more common.

expedite the process

Focuses on accelerating an existing process.

push forward

Indicates an effort to advance despite potential obstacles.

get underway

A formal way to say that something is beginning.

activate

Implies making something operative or functional.

prompt action

Highlights the act of encouraging or causing something to begin.

FAQs

How can I use "get things moving" in a sentence?

You can use "get things moving" to encourage action, such as, "We need to "get things moving" on this project if we want to meet the deadline." It's also suitable for asking someone to initiate something, as in, "Can you help "get things moving" with the negotiations?"

What can I say instead of "get things moving"?

You can use alternatives like "initiate action", "start the ball rolling", or "expedite the process" depending on the context.

Is "getting things moving" the same as "get things moving"?

Yes, "getting things moving" is the gerund form of "get things moving". The choice depends on the sentence structure. For example, "Getting things moving is our top priority" uses the gerund as a subject, while "We need to get things moving" uses the base form after "to".

What's the difference between "get things moving" and "make progress"?

"Get things moving" focuses on initiating or accelerating an activity, while "make progress" refers to advancing towards a goal. You "get things moving" at the start, then you "make progress" as you advance.