move the needle

USAGE SUMMARY

"move the needle" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English and is often used to mean "to make a considerable positive impact" or "to bring about a notable change".
For example, You need to do something that will move the needle and lead to greater success for your business.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One: "Move the needle"?

The New Yorker

"It won't move the needle".

The New York Times

"Did it move the needle?

The New York Times

They don't "move the needle".

The New Yorker

"That can really move the needle".

The New York Times

"It does not even move the needle.

The New York Times

I'd love to move the needle on educating women.

Stanford University

And how do we really move the needle?

Harvard University

"So we knew we could move the needle".

The New York Times

I don't think it will move the needle there and might move the needle in the other direction".

The Guardian

But Bourne and Carter couldn't move the needle on decriminalization.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "move the needle", ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what area or aspect is being affected.

Common error

Avoid using "move the needle" in overly informal or casual conversations. While widely accepted, it's best suited for professional, analytical, or strategic discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move the needle" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, used to describe the act of making a significant and measurable impact on something. It is often used to express the ability to effect meaningful change, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

23%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move the needle" is a widely used idiomatic expression that signifies making a noticeable and significant impact. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in contexts related to news, business, and academia. When aiming to convey the idea of substantial change, this phrase is a strong option, though it should be used judiciously in more informal settings. Alternatives such as ""make a difference"" or ""have an impact"" can also be considered based on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ultimately, understanding the appropriate register and context will help you effectively use "move the needle" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a difference

Emphasizes positive change or impact.

have an impact

Highlights the effect something has on a situation.

shift the paradigm

Suggests a fundamental change in approach or thinking.

alter the course

Focuses on changing the direction of something.

turn the tide

Implies reversing a negative trend or situation.

make headway

Signifies making progress, especially in a challenging situation.

improve matters

Indicates a general betterment of the existing state.

effect change

Highlights the act of bringing about change.

influence outcomes

Focuses on the ability to affect the results.

drive progress

Suggests actively pushing forward to achieve progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "move the needle" to describe actions or strategies that significantly impact a situation. For example, "Investing in renewable energy can "make a difference" in reducing carbon emissions".

What does "move the needle" mean?

"Move the needle" is an idiomatic expression that means to "have an impact" or make a noticeable difference in a particular area or situation.

What are some alternatives to "move the needle"?

Some alternatives to "move the needle" include ""make a difference"", ""have an impact"", or "drive progress", depending on the desired nuance.

In what context is it appropriate to use "move the needle"?

It's appropriate to use "move the needle" in business, strategic planning, or any situation where you want to emphasize that certain actions will "improve matters" or "influence outcomes" significantly.