1. action to achieve sth; change in ideas, etc.
ADJECTIVE
big,
important,
major,
radical,
significant
decisive
astute,
brilliant,
clever,
good,
inspired,
sensible,
shrewd,
smart,
wise
bad
risky
right
She wondered whether she had made the right move in telling the truth.
false,
wrong
One false move could lead to war.
dumb (informal, esp. AmE),
stupid,
unwise
positive
aggressive
audacious,
bold,
brave,
daring,
strong
defensive
serious
desperate,
drastic
dramatic,
shock (BrE) (used in journalism),
surprise,
surprising,
unexpected
The company was put up for sale yesterday in an unexpected move by management.
unprecedented
obvious
interesting
unusual
controversial
conciliatory
(esp. BrE)
popular
gradual
rapid
new
current
(BrE)
the current move towards/toward networked organizations
latest,
recent
next
first,
initial
If he wants to see me, he should make the first move.
strategic,
tactical
logical
unilateral
diplomatic (esp. BrE),
legal,
military,
political
pre-emptive
cost-cutting
career
Getting a job in advertising was a good career move.
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VERB + move
be,
represent
The talks represented the first significant move towards/toward peace.
make
The management has made no move to settle the strike.
pull
(informal)
Don't you dare pull a move like that again.
prompt
initiate
signal
The new legislation signals a move away from government involvement in telecommunications.
spearhead
The move is spearheaded by a prominent lawyer.
back,
encourage,
support
applaud,
welcome
condemn,
criticize
oppose,
reject,
resist
block
consider,
contemplate,
ponder
calculate,
plan,
plot
Now we must plot our next move.
decide,
decide on
They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.
anticipate
announce
The government announced its move to ban smoking in public spaces.
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move + VERB
take place
be afoot,
be underway
(esp. BrE)
Moves are afoot to increase car insurance premiums.
fail
pay off
prove sth
The move proved a disaster.
be aimed at sth,
be designed to do sth
a move designed to control inflation
allow (sb/sth) sth
give (sb) sth
The move gave her career a boost.
mean sth
The move meant lower costs.
reflect sth
The move reflects a change in approach to research.
surprise sb
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PREPOSITION
in a/the move
In a move which surprised everyone, the bosses fired several managers.
move against
a move against drug dealers
move away from
a move away from the old Hollywood style of movie
move back to
a move back to old teaching styles
move to,
move towards/toward
a move towards/toward greater trade liberalization
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PHRASES
a move in the right direction
The new environmental regulations represent a move in the right direction.
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2. change of place
ADJECTIVE
false
One false move and I'll shoot!
sudden
quick,
swift
smooth
deft,
nifty
graceful
finishing
acrobatic,
dance,
wrestling
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VERB + move
make
We should make a move (= leave).
execute,
perform
bust
(informal)
Flavio and I were busting some moves on the dance floor.
complete
practise/practice
master
block
The soldier blocked the move with his free hand.
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PREPOSITION
move to,
move towards/toward
She made a move towards/toward the door.
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PHRASES
on the move
His career as an engineer has kept him on the move (= moving from place to place).
follow sb/sth's every move,
watch sb/sth's every move
The cubs watched their mother's every move.
get a move on
We're leaving, so you'd better get a move on (= hurry)!
make a move for sth
(informal)
He made a move for (= in the direction of) the door.
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