outstanding moves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstanding moves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe impressive or exceptional actions, typically in contexts like sports, dance, or strategic decisions. Example: "The dancer's outstanding moves captivated the audience and earned her a standing ovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

These are outstanding moves.

The New York Times

He then made two outstanding moves to score layups at the beginning of the period.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

His hat-trick should have arrived in the 64th minute after the outstanding move of the night and to give Rooney his due, there was an exquisite flick to set up his new team-mate.

The Guardian - Sport

All the same, the outstanding move of the night was constructed by the players wearing England shirts and, without exaggeration, it is difficult to recall the last time this team put together such a brilliantly penetrative exchange of passes, classy in its creation and clinical in its execution.

The Guardian - Sport

The outstanding move of the game took Saints ahead for the first time since the opening minute.

BBC

"It was an outstanding move," he said, adding that it could significantly help him win votes in this first-in-the-South primary.

Huffington Post

Some states will also check for outstanding moving violations or parking tickets involving your car before allowing you to renew your license plates.

WikiHow

So did Herbert Hoover in 1929 while the Federal Reserve Board tightened credit to protect the dollar and raised interest rates when margin credit outstandings moved off the charts on the up side.

Forbes

Despite Wenger's best efforts to hang on to the French winger whom he called "technically outstanding", Nasri moved to the Etihad for £25million, although Arsenal fans accused him of moving only for a bigger pay packet.

The Telegraph

He's an explosive player who is outstanding when moving forward.

The New York Times

In that decade several outstanding shows moved by truck, including the Wild West show of Mix, which traveled coast to coast.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions in sports or strategic situations, use "outstanding moves" to highlight exceptional skill or effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "outstanding moves" to describe simple everyday actions. Reserve it for situations where skill and performance are genuinely exceptional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding moves" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'outstanding' modifies the noun 'moves'. It typically acts as a direct object or a subject complement, describing actions of high quality. As Ludwig confirms, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outstanding moves" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe actions of exceptional skill or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for highlighting impressive performances, particularly in sports or strategic contexts. While its register is generally neutral, it can be adapted for formal use with synonyms like "remarkable actions". Although the phrase is not very common, its presence in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrates its validity and utility in expressing admiration for exceptional achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkable actions

Replaces "outstanding" with "remarkable", emphasizing the noteworthy nature of the actions.

impressive maneuvers

Substitutes both words to highlight skill and dexterity in execution.

exceptional plays

Focuses on actions within a game or performance context.

brilliant strategies

Emphasizes the intelligence and effectiveness behind the actions.

superb performances

Shifts the focus to the overall quality of the execution.

skillful plays

Highlights the technical skill involved in the actions.

noteworthy tactics

Stresses the importance and memorability of the tactics used.

admirable feats

Highlights achievements that are worthy of admiration.

excellent execution

Focuses on how well something was carried out.

amazing accomplishments

Emphasizes the level of achievement reached.

FAQs

How can I use "outstanding moves" in a sentence?

"Outstanding moves" are used to describe actions that demonstrate exceptional skill, strategy, or performance, such as in sports or dance. For instance, "The basketball player made several outstanding moves during the game".

What are some synonyms for "outstanding moves"?

Alternatives for "outstanding moves" include "remarkable actions", "impressive maneuvers", or "exceptional plays", depending on the specific context.

Is "outstanding moves" suitable for formal writing?

While "outstanding moves" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "remarkable actions" or "brilliant strategies" in academic or business contexts for enhanced precision.

Can "outstanding moves" be used in a negative context?

No, "outstanding moves" is inherently positive, describing actions that are exceptionally good. To describe negative actions, you would need to choose different phrasing.