shift the needle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shift the needle" can be used in written English to mean to make a significant change or produce a notable result.
For example: "Our team's recent efforts have shifted the needle in terms of productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Over time, too, a growing number of corporate pioneers shift the needle, moving beyond compliance to new forms of citizenship and corporate social responsibility.

The Guardian

You're going to shift the needle of interest in the investing community away from oil and gas and towards renewables, storage and energy efficiency.

The Guardian

He likely hopes new insights can shift the needle, so 1percentt of Americans no longer hold 40percentt of the nation's wealth.

MIT Technology Review

But even though the Virgin and NetJets initiatives will stimulate some very useful conversations with owners, suppliers, pilots and passengers, my sense is that the combination of a weak ETS and voluntarism is only going to shift the needle so far.

The Guardian

Instead, as we argue in our new report The Future Quotient – at a time when we have to shift the needle from incremental to transformative change, extending our thinking and networks much wider, digging deeper into the underlying facts and trajectories, aiming higher and investing longer – we need to draw on the energy, ambition and fearlessness of those at the edges of the current system.

The Guardian

There will always be loyalists, but the question becomes whether there are enough of them to really shift the needle.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It's not always clear what targets have to be hit to achieve that goal – but other than shifting the needle more on TV ratings, perhaps the most tangible immediate target is noticeable progress in the Champions League.

The Guardian - Sport

By shifting the needle even slightly on the question of a future customs arrangement with the EU, he will – at a stroke – create the germ of a cross-party rebel alliance bound not only by an insistence on the supremacy of the Commons but also by shared policy values.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I prefer a different metaphor: It shifts the needle".

Science Magazine

But after Summer 2010, it is fair to say, objectively, that Rummble consumer proposition was not shifting the needle.

TechCrunch

The urgency of the climate challenge has shifted the needle toward crowdsourcing for sustainability solutions, and connecting uncommon bedfellows.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shift the needle" to describe changes that are significant and noticeable, rather than minor adjustments. It conveys a sense of meaningful progress or transformation.

Common error

Avoid using "shift the needle" to describe small or incremental changes that don't have a substantial impact. This can weaken the phrase and make your claims sound exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift the needle" functions as an idiomatic expression, serving as a verb phrase within a sentence. It suggests the action of making a notable change or causing a measurable impact. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is commonly used and well-understood.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shift the needle" is an idiom used to describe making a significant and measurable change. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Though not extremely common, it is a recognized expression appearing in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. It serves as a neutral expression that implies a tangible impact, as demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig. When considering alternatives, remember to choose phrases that accurately reflect the magnitude and nature of the change you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a difference

Emphasizes the positive impact or contribution resulting from an action.

have an impact

Focuses on the effect or influence that something has on a situation.

move the dial

Uses a similar metaphor to suggest progress or advancement towards a goal.

alter the course

Implies a significant change in direction or outcome.

influence the outcome

Highlights the ability to affect the final result of a process or event.

create a turning point

Suggests a pivotal moment that leads to a new direction or change.

induce a change

Focuses on initiating or causing a transformation.

catalyze progress

Implies speeding up advancement toward a specific goal or objective.

reshape the landscape

Suggests a fundamental alteration of the prevailing conditions or circumstances.

drive progress

Focuses on actively pushing for advancement in a particular area.

FAQs

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

You can use "shift the needle" to describe making a significant difference or change. For instance, "The new policy is expected to "make a difference" in energy consumption.".

What is an alternative to saying "shift the needle"?

Alternatives to "shift the needle" include phrases like "have an impact", "move the dial", or "alter the course", depending on the specific context.

Is "shift the needle" a formal or informal expression?

"Shift the needle" is generally considered an idiomatic phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in professional and news-related discussions.

What does it mean to "shift the needle" in business?

In a business context, to "shift the needle" means to "catalyze progress" and make a significant improvement in key metrics or outcomes, such as sales, customer satisfaction, or market share.