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to move the needle

to move the needle

8 6.2
To make a clear change in results or numbers
  • idiom
  • Jargon
translation icon : tener un impacto
  • To truly move the needle on climate change, everyone needs to take action and reduce their carbon footprint.
  • really move the needle
  • barely move the needle
  • actually move the needle

This is not even moving the needle now.

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Examples

  • Let's talk about best marketing tech that you've added recently that's moved the needle in your business.

  • His innovative approach really moved the needle in our project, leading to impressive results.

  • Some would say those guys just move the needle forward a little bit in time.

  • That is how you move the needle in the world and in your own life.

  • Well, it's simple, like two very powerful people can move the needle faster than just one powerful person.

  • Cities play a crucial role in moving the needle on the economy through job creation.

    Blog text (26)
  • If the debate moved the needle toward Mr. Obama, it should become more apparent in the coming days.

    Blog text (17)
  • You just, you learn what makes sense, what moves the needle and what doesn't.

  • What can you work on that actually moves the needle that you're not?

  • Things that move the needle in your life and things that don't move the needle.

Synonyms

to make a difference
vsto move the needle
482 2.8

Cause a clear, positive change in a situation or person

is about measurable outcome change rather than mainly positive intent
to impact
vsto move the needle
255 3.4

To have a strong effect on someone or something

is the measurable, noticeable version of a strong general effect
to swing
vsto move the needle
  • Jargon
51 4.5

Make people change their opinion or a decision

is about measurable often numeric effect rather than narrow opinion shifts
to leave a mark
vsto move the needle
  • Informal
18 3.9

To have a lasting effect on a person or thing that people notice

is about a measurable immediate effect rather than long lasting residue
to make a dent
vsto move the needle
14 4.0

To reduce an amount like cost or work in an obvious way

is about measurable noticeable effect rather than specifically reducing quantity
to cut a wide swath
vsto move the needle
  • Informal
1 7.7

Have a strong effect on many people or things

is focused on measurable change rather than wide attention or fame
to shift the dial
vsto move the needle
7.2

To make a clear change in a situation or result

is about noticeable measurable effect rather than vague influence

Antonyms

1 7.8

To make something have no effect or value

How Impactful

to transform
523 3.4
to move the needle
  • Jargon
8 6.2

Surface Forms

move the needle infinitive
moved the needle past participle
moving the needle present participle
moves the needle third person singular

Morphology

move + the + needle

The phrase evokes the literal image of moving a needle (a pointer on an instrument) to indicate producing a measurable change, so a learner who knows 'move' and 'needle' in the sense of a pointer may infer a related figurative meaning. However, the business/measurement metaphor is a contextual extension rather than a straightforward compositional meaning, making the interpretation somewhat predictable but not fully transparent to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Move the needle may come from old meters and dials where a thin metal needle moved to show a change; when the needle moved a lot it meant something real had changed. So, to move the needle today means to make a clear, noticeable change or 'have a significant effect'.