push the needle

USAGE SUMMARY

"push the needle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to a physical action of pressing a needle forward, for example in the sentence "I had to push the needle through the fabric."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She encourages students to push the needle by advocating to make the workplace more inclusive.

Columbia University

Place a brown button onto the thread and push the needle back into the apple.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At the same time, groups like Environmental Defense Fund are continuing to push the needle forward.

The Guardian

Winemakers deserve the credit, of course, but I'd like to think I helped push the needle.

The Washington Post

"What Feng instills in us is the desire to do science at the edge, to push the needle," says Abudayyeh.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Most of the approaches Ravitch advocated had been tried for decades, he said, and they "didn't push the needle much".

The New Yorker

Pull your thread taut, push the needle into the apple and wiggle it through the filling until it comes out through one of the button's holes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead, after swabbing a small patch of my rump down with rubbing alcohol, I push the needle in slowly until all three inches of it are submerged.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it's continuing to push the needle.

TechCrunch

Microsoft is trying to push the needle when it comes to computers.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

On some pets, the hole seals up really quickly, so push the needle/nail in again.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push the needle" when you want to convey making a noticeable impact or advancement in a particular area, especially where incremental progress is valued.

Common error

While "push the needle" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in very informal conversations; simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push the needle" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of making progress or causing a significant change. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English and the examples demonstrate its application across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

28%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "push the needle" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for conveying the idea of making notable progress or impacting change. It appears in diverse contexts, from news and academia to wiki articles. While Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English, be mindful of overusing it in very informal settings where simpler language might suffice. Related phrases like "advance the cause" and "drive progress" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move the dial

Similar to the original but uses "dial" instead of "needle".

advance the cause

Focuses on forwarding a specific aim or belief.

drive progress

Emphasizes the act of moving forward towards a goal.

make headway

Highlights making noticeable advancement.

exert influence

Stresses the act of having an effect on something.

stimulate advancement

Signifies encouragement or initiation of movement forward.

propel forward

Indicates a strong force that moves something ahead.

foster development

Focuses on nurturing and supporting growth.

catalyze change

Emphasizes the initiation of a transformation.

encourage innovation

Highlights promoting new ideas and methods.

FAQs

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

You can use "push the needle" to describe making progress or a significant impact, as in, "The new policies are expected to "push the needle" on environmental conservation".

What does "push the needle" mean?

"Push the needle" means to make a noticeable difference or to advance a cause, often incrementally.

Which is more appropriate, "move the dial" or "push the needle"?

Both "move the dial" and "push the needle" are similar, but "push the needle" might be preferred when referring to something that requires more precision or effort. "Move the dial" may be more appropriate when something needs a change of direction.

What are some alternatives to saying "push the needle"?

Some alternatives to "push the needle" include "drive progress", "advance the cause", or "make headway", depending on the context.