made its move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made its move" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decisive action taken by a person, group, or entity, often in a strategic or competitive context. Example: "After months of planning, the company finally made its move to acquire the rival firm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Surge was trailing by 17-6 when it made its move in the fourth quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

But these foodie companies, which freely shared insights with the Whole Foods team, also could become competitors if it made its move.

Forbes

Even though the safety data about Firestone tires not recalled last year is inconclusive at best, Ford made its move because it wanted to reassure its customers about the safety of its products.

Forbes

"In people's hearts and minds, Crimea has always been an inseparable part of Russia," said Putin, making it sound like it had always been a matter of time before Moscow made its move to recover the territory.

The Guardian

The late 1980's were when the drug business made its move into the area, and it has yet to completely leave.

The New York Times

It's happened: The Ebola virus has made its move to the big city, presumably with big dreams of infecting the lot of us.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Counters don't record an osprey until it makes its move south.

The Washington Post

But before Arcelor could make its move, it became a target for Mittal.

Forbes

When it makes its move silver often outpaces gold for many months.

Forbes

And it's making its move.

Huffington Post

It didn't take long for another network to make its move.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made its move" when you want to convey a sense of strategic action or a calculated decision, especially in competitive scenarios or when describing a significant turning point.

Common error

Avoid using "made its move" in overly casual or informal situations. It can sound stilted or overly dramatic when simpler phrasing would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made its move" functions as a verbal phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates it describes a decisive action or strategic decision. It signifies that a person, group, or entity has taken a significant step, usually with a specific goal in mind.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made its move" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to describe a strategic or decisive action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, predominantly in news and business settings. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional registers and should be used sparingly in overly informal situations. Alternatives include "took action" or "executed its plan", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember to maintain consistency in tense when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a strategic decision

Highlights the calculated and thoughtful nature of the action.

took action

Replaces the idiom with a more straightforward description of initiating an action.

executed its plan

Implies a pre-determined strategy being put into action.

took the initiative

Focuses on being the first to act or take control.

advanced its position

Suggests improving one's standing or situation.

effected its strategy

Emphasizes that the action taken has already produced an intended result.

seized the opportunity

Emphasizes capitalizing on a favorable circumstance.

made a play

Uses sports-related terminology to describe taking a strategic action.

launched its campaign

Highlights the start of a planned series of actions.

stepped up its game

Indicates an improvement in performance or strategy.

FAQs

How can I use "made its move" in a sentence?

You can use "made its move" to describe a strategic action, such as "The company "made its move" by acquiring a smaller competitor".

What are some alternatives to "made its move"?

Alternatives include "took action", "seized the opportunity", or "executed its plan", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "make its move" instead of "made its move"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "make its move" for future or hypothetical situations, and "made its move" for past actions.

What's the difference between "made its move" and "took action"?

"Made its move" often implies a more strategic or calculated action, while "took action" is a more general term for initiating any action.