IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishmove the needle
Meaning: To make a noticeable difference.
Example: “The ad campaign was nice, but it didn't move the needle on sales.”
Origin: The needle is the pointer on a gauge or meter. The business phrase became popular in the late 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Faire avancer le schmilblick Literally: To move the schmilblick forward
More English idioms
- in two shakes of a lamb's tail Very quickly.
- a Procrustean bed A rigid standard forced on everything, whatever the damage.
- a Sisyphean task An endless, futile task.
- jam tomorrow A promise of good things in the future that never arrive.
- have one foot in the grave To be close to death.
- the bee's knees Something or someone excellent.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Give him an inch, and he'll take an ell. Allowing someone a small concession encourages them to demand progressively larger ones.
- God never measures men by inches. Height matters less than character; true worth is invisible to the eye.
- Industry is fortune's right hand and frugality her left. Hard work and careful spending together create wealth; neither alone suffices.
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