move the needle forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move the needle forward" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is most often used to refer to making progress toward a particular goal or objective. For example: "We need to find innovative ways to move the needle forward on our sustainability efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Nonetheless, he sees that continued advances in areas such as artificial intelligence will move the needle forward.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But behind the scenes, there is a real sense that Washington needs to move the needle forward by building trust with the North.

The Washington Post

I look forward to working with all of you Overseers, faculty, staff, trainees, students, and partners as we continue to move the needle forward at Weill Cornell Medicine in 2018.

Cornell University

"A Single Life" is about a mysterious record album with the ability to control time: move the needle forward or backward and get older or younger, like Alice growing and shrinking, via cake and potion, in Wonderland.

The New Yorker

"The agreement will move the needle forward on conservative priorities and will ensure that the essential functions of the federal government are maintained," said Jennifer Hing, a spokeswoman for House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.).

The Washington Post

"To move the needle forward we'd have to see a significant number of resales, and I don't see what would all of a sudden make that happen," Ms. Liebman said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"They've moved the needle forward in the last few years," he said of Whole Foods.

The New York Times

My hope is that by attending Medicine X, I will be exposed to other like-minded individuals who are interested in and actively moving the needle forward in the utilization and value of patients as experts in their own healthcare.

Stanford University

Her hope is that by attending Medicine X, she will be exposed to other like-minded individuals who are actively moving the needle forward in the utilization and value of patients as experts in their own healthcare.

Stanford University

"Zoe moved the needle forward.

Forbes

While there is still a lot of work to be done to increase number of females leading aviation, Johns and Kates share how they are moving the needle forward with their roles at Surf Air.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move the needle forward" when you want to emphasize making significant, measurable progress toward a specific goal. Ensure the context clearly defines the "needle" and the desired direction of movement.

Common error

Avoid using "move the needle forward" for minor, incremental changes. Reserve it for situations where the anticipated impact is substantial and transformative, not just a marginal improvement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "move the needle forward" is as an idiomatic verb phrase. It typically functions as a predicate within a sentence, indicating the action of making substantial progress or creating a significant impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move the needle forward" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic phrase used to convey making significant progress or achieving a notable impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a usable component in written English. It's predominantly found in news media, academia, and business contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for scenarios involving substantial, measurable advancements rather than incremental changes. Alternatives such as ""make a difference"" or ""drive progress"" can be used for variety. Ultimately, "move the needle forward" remains a clear and effective way to communicate the importance of achieving meaningful results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a difference

Focuses on the impact of an action or effort.

drive progress

Emphasizes the act of propelling advancement.

advance an agenda

Highlights pushing forward a specific set of goals.

accelerate development

Suggests speeding up the rate of growth or improvement.

foster advancement

Emphasizes nurturing conditions that promote progress.

propel improvement

Highlights the act of causing improvement to move forward.

spur progress

Suggests stimulating or encouraging forward movement.

facilitate advancement

Focuses on making progress easier or more likely.

boost development

Emphasizes the act of enhancing or increasing growth.

push the envelope

Emphasizes exceeding current limits or standards.

FAQs

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

You can use "move the needle forward" to describe making significant progress. For example, "We need innovative solutions to "move the needle forward" on climate change."

What does "move the needle forward" actually mean?

The phrase "move the needle forward" means to make noticeable progress toward a specific goal or to create a significant impact in a particular area.

What are some alternatives to "move the needle forward"?

You can use alternatives like "make a difference", "drive progress", or "advance an agenda" depending on the context.

Is "move the needle forward" business jargon?

While "move the needle forward" is commonly used in business settings, it is also widely understood and used in other contexts to describe significant progress. However, in some instances, less-clichéd alternatives might be preferred.