shift the dial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shift the dial" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate making a change or adjustment, often in a context of progress or improvement. Example: "We need to shift the dial on our marketing strategy to reach a wider audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But on their own, these measures will not shift the dial on business lending.

The Guardian

Only by galvanising a social movement can we hope to shift the dial and create the political will to fund social care properly.

The Guardian

"Until we see gains in productivity, people are unlikely to feel the benefit in their pay packets so businesses need to concentrate on better people management and better working practices to shift the dial on this," Cotton said.

Independent

We need to do a better job of engaging young men and women about relationships, roles and money if we are truly to shift the dial and learn to value and respect what each partner brings to a relationship.

The Guardian

Downing Street strategists have been working for months to shift the dial towards an alternative narrative of leadership at the helm of a coalition and now a Tory majority government.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Polls at this stage still mostly showed remain ahead, by varying margins, but the big interventions had not shifted the dial quite as much as had been hoped.

The Guardian

For even as these campaigns shifted the dial in terms of public discourse, the traditional centre left parties treated them with a mixture of indifference and contempt.

The Guardian - Opinion

The head of group corporate responsibility for Woolworths, Armineh Mardirossian, said the pledge was an important first act in "shifting the dial".

The Guardian

The company is slowly shifting the dial, with women accounting for 37% of new hires across all roles over the 12 months ending in June 2016.

The Guardian - Tech

Updated at 11.13am BST 11.02am BST Bank of Japan and Spanish bond auction impact The Bank of Japan announcement has not shifted the dial for western investors, and neither has the successful Spanish bond auction.

The Guardian - Business

Technology turns out to be a key driver of change here; unlike, say, mounting mainstream feminism, which though given a fresh injection by the likes of Amy Poehler, may not have shifted the dial as much as one might imagine.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shift the dial" when you want to emphasize that a change, even a small one, can have a significant impact on the overall outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "shift the dial" when the change is trivial or unlikely to produce a noticeable difference. Ensure the context justifies the phrase's implication of meaningful progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift the dial" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of making a noticeable change or adjustment. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shift the dial" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey the idea of making a significant change or adjustment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase, primarily found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While not exceedingly common, it is still a valuable addition to one's vocabulary. Remember to employ it judiciously, ensuring the context warrants the implication of meaningful impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move the needle

Focuses on making a noticeable difference or impact.

make a difference

Emphasizes the act of having a positive effect.

change the course

Implies altering the direction or trajectory of something.

turn things around

Suggests reversing a negative trend or situation.

alter the situation

Highlights the act of modifying the current circumstances.

have an impact

Focuses on the effect or influence exerted.

adjust the approach

Emphasizes modifying the method or strategy used.

reorient the strategy

Similar to 'adjust the approach', but implies a more fundamental change.

reshape the landscape

Implies a significant and lasting change to the existing environment.

influence the outcome

Highlights the act of affecting the final result.

FAQs

What does "shift the dial" mean?

The phrase "shift the dial" means to make a noticeable change or adjustment, often to improve a situation or make progress towards a goal.

How can I use "shift the dial" in a sentence?

You can use "shift the dial" to describe actions that lead to a significant change, such as, "We need to "move the needle" on customer satisfaction by improving our service quality".

What are some alternatives to "shift the dial"?

Alternatives to "shift the dial" include phrases like "make a difference", "change the course", or "turn things around", depending on the context.

Is "shift the dial" an appropriate phrase for formal writing?

While "shift the dial" is generally acceptable, consider the context. In highly formal writing, more precise alternatives like "alter the situation" or "adjust the approach" might be more suitable.