/ muːv; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
CHANGE POSITION
1.
to change position or make sb/sth change position in a way that can be seen, heard or felt :
[ v ]
Don't move—stay perfectly still.
The bus was already moving when I jumped onto it.
He could hear someone moving around in the room above.
Phil moved towards the window.
You can hardly move in this pub on Saturdays (= because it is so crowded) .
You can't move for books in her room.
[ vn ]
I can't move my fingers.
We moved our chairs a little nearer.
CHANGE IDEAS / TIME
2.
[usually + adv. / prep. ] to change; to change sth
SYN shift :
[ v ]
The government has not moved on this issue.
[ vn ]
Let's move the meeting to Wednesday.
MAKE PROGRESS
3.
[ v ] move (on / ahead) to make progress in the way or direction mentioned
SYN progress :
Time is moving on.
Share prices moved ahead today.
Things are not moving as fast as we hoped.
TAKE ACTION
4.
[ v ] to take action; to do sth :
The police moved quickly to dispel the rumours.
SYN act ➡ note at action
CHANGE HOUSE / JOB
5.
move (from ... ) (to ... ) to change the place where you live, have your work, etc. :
[ v ]
We don't like it here so we've decided to move.
The company's moving to Scotland.
She's been all on her own since her daughter moved away.
[ vn ] ( BrE )
We moved house last week.
6.
[ vn ] move sb (from ... ) (to ... ) to make sb change from one job, class, etc. to another
SYN transfer :
I'm being moved to the New York office.
IN BOARD GAMES
7.
( in chess and other board games ) to change the position of a piece :
[ v ]
It's your turn to move.
[ vn ]
She moved her queen.
CAUSE STRONG FEELINGS
8.
[ vn ] move sb (to sth) to cause sb to have strong feelings, especially of sympathy or sadness :
We were deeply moved by her plight.
Grown men were moved to tears at the horrific scenes.
—see also moving
MAKE SB DO STH
9.
( formal ) to cause sb to do sth
SYN prompt :
[ vn to inf ]
She felt moved to address the crowd.
[ vn ]
He works when the spirit moves him (= when he wants to) .
SUGGEST FORMALLY
10.
( formal ) to suggest sth formally so that it can be discussed and decided
SYN put forward :
[ vn ]
The Opposition moved an amendment to the Bill.
[ v that ]
I move that a vote be taken on this.
•
IDIOMS
- get moving
- get sth moving
- move heaven and earth
- move with the times
—more at ass
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- move along
- move in | move into sth
- move in sth
- move in (on sb/sth)
- move in with sb
- move off
- move on (to sth)
- move sb on
- move out
- move over
■ noun
ACTION
1.
move (towards / to sth) | move (to do sth) an action that you do or need to do to achieve sth :
This latest move by the government has aroused fierce opposition.
The management have made no move to settle the strike.
Getting a job in marketing was a good career move .
—see also false move
CHANGE OF POSITION
2.
[ usually sing. ] a change of place or position :
Don't make a move !
Every move was painful.
She felt he was watching her every move .
SYN movement
CHANGE OF IDEAS / BEHAVIOUR
3.
move to / away from sth a change in ideas, attitudes or behaviour :
There has been a move away from nuclear energy.
SYN shift , tread
CHANGE OF HOUSE / JOB
4.
an act of changing the place where you live or work :
What's the date of your move?
Their move from Italy to the US has not been a success.
Her new job is just a sideways move.
IN BOARD GAMES
5.
an act of changing the position of a piece in chess or other games that are played on a board :
The game was over in only six moves.
It's your move.
•
IDIOMS
- be on the move
- get a move on
- make the first move
- make a move
- make a move on sb
- make a, your, etc. move
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French moveir , from Latin movere .