move the dial

USAGE SUMMARY

'move the dial' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
The phrase means to make progress or improvement in a situation. It can be used any time one is emphasizing the importance of causing a change in a certain area. Example: "We need to move the dial and make advances in climate change action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

We have to move the dial here.

The Guardian

The policies lack the scale to move the dial".

The Guardian

Is it going to move the dial hugely?

The New Yorker

"That would move the dial on youth unemployment in a speedy fashion".

The New York Times

"Microsoft's entertainment division is important, but it just doesn't really move the dial," Ms. Egbert said.

The New York Times - Tech

"There's no question it's going to move the dial forward," Hainline said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Among the latter subset of liberty-lovers, there is some frustration in the perception that as a movement, we actively refuse to make the best of every opportunity (and goodness knows we have so few of them) to move the dials of the cultural and political mainstream toward liberty.

Huffington Post

ComRes chairman Andrew Hawkins told The Huffington Post UK that he doesn't believe a forthcoming report from the United Nations weapons inspectors will "move the dials, and neither would further chemical crimes by Assad -– at least on the scale seen so far".

Huffington Post

Move the dials at the top of the page.

WikiHow

But our efforts really weren't moving the dial to the extent we wanted".

The New York Times

"It's not moving the dial," said Mr. Fine of Oliver Wyman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move the dial" when you want to emphasize the need for significant progress or improvement in a specific area. It is particularly effective when discussing strategic goals or initiatives.

Common error

Avoid using "move the dial" when referring to minor or insignificant changes. This phrase implies a substantial impact, so ensure the context warrants its use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move the dial" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of making noticeable progress or significant change. It signifies that an action or effort has had a substantial impact, as supported by Ludwig AI and many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move the dial" is a very common and correct idiomatic phrase used to express the idea of making significant progress or achieving a substantial impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, business, and general discussions. While versatile, it should be reserved for situations where the change is truly noteworthy. Consider alternatives like "make a difference" or "effect change" for slight variations in meaning. Ultimately, "move the dial" effectively conveys the need for meaningful advancement and can enhance your writing when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a difference

Focuses on positive impact or a significant alteration.

have an impact

Emphasizes the effect or influence exerted on something.

effect change

Highlights the act of bringing about a transformation.

shift the needle

Similar idiomatic expression, suggesting a measurable change.

turn the tide

Suggests reversing a negative trend or situation.

make headway

Focuses on making forward progress despite challenges.

drive progress

Emphasizes the active role in advancing a cause or goal.

influence outcomes

Highlights the ability to affect the final result.

alter the course

Implies changing the direction or path of something.

improve the situation

Focuses on enhancing or ameliorating a current state.

FAQs

How can I use "move the dial" in a sentence?

You can use "move the dial" to emphasize the importance of making significant progress or improvement in a specific area. For instance, "We need innovative solutions to "move the dial" on climate change."

What does "move the dial" mean?

"Move the dial" is an idiomatic expression that signifies making a noticeable difference or achieving substantial progress in a situation or area. It implies a change that is significant enough to be measurable or impactful.

What are some alternatives to "move the dial"?

Alternatives to "move the dial" include "make a difference", "have an impact", or "effect change" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "move the dial"?

It's appropriate to use "move the dial" when discussing strategic goals, initiatives aimed at substantial change, or situations where significant progress is needed. It's less suitable for describing minor adjustments or insignificant impacts.