move the needle
English edit
Etymology edit
From the indicator needle of a measuring instrument such as the speedometer.
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
move the needle (third-person singular simple present moves the needle, present participle moving the needle, simple past and past participle moved the needle)
- (idiomatic) To change a situation to a noticeable degree.
- Synonym: budge the needle
- 2002 July 28, Janice M. Horowitz, “Hot Stuff”, in Time[1]:
- Think Red Hots are a taste challenge? Or the Atomic Fireball is the ultimate tongue torture? They barely move the needle for confectionery connoisseurs.
- 2012 August 9, Eric Lowitt, “To solve climate change, let's move beyond climate change”, in The Guardian[2]:
- How does a participant in a sector, or an entire sector for that matter, move the needle on climate change?