nice move

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression 'nice move' is correct and usable in written English.
The expression is used to praise someone’s action. For example: "You scored a goal! Nice move!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nice move though.

The Guardian - Sport

Oh, right, nice move.

The New Yorker

And Sadorra's 18... Rad8 was a nice move, too.

The New York Times

"We've had a really nice move up here.

The New York Times

This is a nice move around the Schalke box!

The Telegraph

But if he can stay healthy, it could end up being a nice move.

The New York Times

"If he makes a nice move, you kind of catch yourself.

The New Yorker

Kosintseva's 18 c4 was a nice move, prying open the d file.

The New York Times

Q. Military contractors' stocks had a very nice move last year.

The New York Times

The early skirmishing was scrappy but Ndiaye's goal came at the end of a nice move.

The Guardian - Sport

I went down and he made a nice move toward me.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nice move" to offer positive feedback or acknowledge a clever or skillful action, especially in informal settings like sports, games, or casual conversations.

Common error

While "nice move" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly formal or professional settings where more sophisticated language might be expected. Consider alternatives like "excellent strategy" or "well executed" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nice move" primarily functions as an interjection or a short declarative sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses approval, praise, or acknowledgment of a clever or skillful action. Examples in Ludwig show it used in response to successful plays in sports, strategic decisions, or clever solutions to problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nice move" is a common and grammatically correct way to express approval or admiration for someone's action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an interjection or short declarative sentence and is generally used in informal settings, although it appears frequently in news and media. While versatile, it is best to avoid it in formal or professional contexts where a more sophisticated expression might be preferable. Alternatives such as "well played" or "good job" can be used depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well played

Focuses more on the skill and execution of the action.

good job

A general expression of approval for a task well done.

smart thinking

Highlights the intelligence and cleverness behind the action.

clever maneuver

Emphasizes the strategic and skillful nature of the action.

excellent tactic

Focuses on the strategic effectiveness of the action.

that was brilliant

Expresses strong admiration for the action's ingenuity.

impressive action

Highlights the admirable and noteworthy nature of the action.

deft touch

Emphasizes the skill and finesse involved in the action.

skilful play

Highlights the skill and competence demonstrated in the action.

that's the way to do it

Expresses approval and encouragement for continuing in the same manner.

FAQs

What does "nice move" mean?

The phrase "nice move" is an expression of approval or admiration for someone's action, suggesting it was clever, skillful, or well-executed.

What can I say instead of "nice move"?

You can use alternatives like "well played", "good job", or "smart thinking" depending on the context.

Is "nice move" formal or informal?

The expression "nice move" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual settings and conversations.

How to use "nice move" in a sentence?

You can use "nice move" as a direct response to someone's action, like "You solved the puzzle quickly! Nice move!" or "That was a risky play, but it worked out. Nice move".