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Glite Dictionary
🏢 To take over 😏 To intrude
to move in on

to move in on

8 6.3
To start taking control of a business or area without being invited
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : intervenir en
  • The rival gang tried to move in on our territory, hoping to take control of our operations.
  • FBI moved in on
  • Police moved in on
  • troops moved in on

Examples

  • What they're saying is they're upset about the fact that this has given an opening to foreign companies to move in on their turf, which is happening.

  • They tried to move in on big sep's territory down in Atlantic city.

    8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997)

  • You want to come in here and move in on my house?

    A Haunted House (2013)

  • We can move in on that heroin business today.

    The Detective (1968)

  • Moving in on your territory, Mr Mayor.

    Five Fingers for Marseilles (2018)

  • Looks like Hankins is moving in on your territory.

    Mamaboy (2016)

  • His pattern has been to get close to a racket boss, learn the operation, then move in on it.

    The Sting (1973)

  • Furthermore, Swegles alerted authorities who moved in on the two men and were soon able to arrest them.

    Blog text (1)

  • Burglars moved in on Robin Smith's East Dallas house before she did.

    Blog text (8)

  • Investors are looking to move in on the emerging tech market before it becomes too saturated.

Synonyms

to intrude
vsto move in on
105 4.4

To go into a place or conversation where you are not welcome

is involvement aimed at control rather than just unwanted presence
to encroach
vsto move in on
27 7.3

To gradually move into someone else's area, space, or rights without permission

is involvement aiming to take control rather than a slow intrusion
to intrude on
vsto move in on
22 4.6

To go into someone's space or life without permission

is involvement that often seeks to take control rather than merely enter
to butt in
vsto move in on
  • Informal
21 4.4

Interrupt someone who is speaking without being invited

is involvement usually to take charge rather than merely interrupting
to get one's claws into
vsto move in on
  • Informal
1 8.4

To become strongly involved in something and take control of it

is involvement that aims to take control without invitation
to stick one's oar in
vsto move in on
  • Informal
8.6

To get involved in other people's business when they do not ask for help

is involvement with an aim to take control not only needless interference

Antonyms

to withdraw
466 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

How Aggressive

to take over
222 3.8
to muscle into
  • Informal
1 7.4
to move in on
8 6.3
to encroach
27 7.3
to step in
240 3.2

Surface Forms

move in on infinitive
moved in on past
moved in on past participle
moving in on present participle
moves in on third person singular

Morphology

move + in + on

The parts 'move' + 'in' + 'on' literally suggest approaching or entering toward a target, so a learner can infer a basic sense of moving toward someone or something. However, the specific nuance of making unwelcome, often romantic or competitive, advances is a metaphorical extension of that motion and not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so it is only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Move in on comes from the image of soldiers who move in on a town, getting close to it so they can take it over. So, the phrase now means 'to become involved in a situation, often to take control'.