move on already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move on already" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that someone should stop dwelling on a past issue and proceed to the next step or topic. Example: "It's time to let go of the past and move on already; there's no point in holding onto old grudges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Move on already.

Vice

People should move on already".

The New York Times

"I know I should just move on already," he says.

The New Yorker

Some victims' relatives feel self-conscious about their sieges of mourning: so many friends and relatives expect them to move on already.

The New York Times

Let's move on already!" And that election night came and I was running around my house like my head was cut off, like what the hell just happened?

The New York Times

There is also a high risk that coca will simply move on: already it is being planted in the inaccessible rainforests along the Pacific coast.In Putumayo, the government is spending $50m on improving roads, but the biggest question mark is security.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

And everyone has moved on already.

The New York Times - Sports

It feels a little like I should have moved on already.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The first river has moved on, The second river is moving on already.

Forbes

It's also not clear if Keighran or any other Chomp employees who are still at Apple are leaving at the same time (some have moved on already).

TechCrunch

I get a sense that many Afrikaans people outside SA or Namibia still hang on to a lot of the guilt, for something that their parents and grandparents did, while those living here have moved on already.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move on already" to encourage a shift in focus from past events to present or future actions, especially when someone is excessively preoccupied with something that cannot be changed.

Common error

Avoid using "move on already" in contexts where empathy and understanding are more appropriate. This phrase can come across as dismissive or insensitive if the person is dealing with grief, trauma, or significant personal challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move on already" functions primarily as an imperative, urging the listener to cease focusing on a past event or issue and to progress forward. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Its use signifies a desire to shift focus from the past to the present or future.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "move on already" serves as an imperative urging someone to shift their focus from past events to the present or future. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Although commonly found in news and media, caution should be exercised in sensitive situations to avoid appearing dismissive. As a versatile phrase, "move on already" can be replaced with alternatives like "let it go" or "time to move on" to adjust the tone based on the context. Its prevalence in various sources underscores its common use in the English language, signaling a clear call for progression and a release from past preoccupations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Time to move on

States it is the appropriate time to move past something.

Just forget about it

This is a more casual and direct way of telling someone to disregard something.

Let it go

This suggests releasing attachment to a past event or feeling.

Don't dwell on it

Advises against focusing too much attention on something.

Move forward

Implies focusing on future actions rather than past events.

Leave it behind

Emphasizes the act of forsaking or abandoning something.

Get over it

A more blunt and sometimes dismissive way of telling someone to recover from a setback.

Put it behind you

Suggests consciously leaving something in the past.

Get past it

Suggests overcoming an obstacle or difficult situation.

It's in the past

Highlights that the event is finished and should no longer be focused on.

FAQs

How can I use "move on already" in a sentence?

You can use "move on already" to urge someone to stop dwelling on a past issue and focus on the present or future. For instance, "The project failed, but we need to "move on already" and learn from our mistakes."

What's a less abrasive alternative to "move on already"?

If you want to be more gentle, try alternatives like "let it go", "time to move on", or "put it behind you". These phrases offer similar encouragement but with a softer tone.

When is it inappropriate to use "move on already"?

It's best to avoid using "move on already" when someone is dealing with significant emotional distress, such as grief, trauma, or profound disappointment. In such cases, empathy and support are more appropriate than urging someone to move on.

What's the difference between "move on" and "move on already"?

"Move on" is a general suggestion to progress forward, while ""move on already"" implies a sense of impatience or that too much time has been spent dwelling on something. The addition of "already" adds urgency and can sometimes be perceived as dismissive.