changing homes and moving - transferring and transporting objects

move

US /muːv/ 
UK /muːv/ 
Example: 

Their old house was too small, so they decided to move.

To go to a different place to live or work

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

Their old house was too small, so they decided to move.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (moves, moving, moved )

1 to go from one place to another; to change the way you are standing or sitting:
Don't get off the bus while it's moving.
We moved to the front of the cinema.

2 to put something in another place or another way:
Can you move your car, please?

3 to go to live in another place:
They sold their house in London and moved to Liverpool.
We are moving house soon.

move in to go to live in a house or flat:
I've got a new flat – I'm moving in next week.

move out to leave a house or flat where you were living

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

move

I. move1 S1 W1 /muːv/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑move, ↑movement, ↑removal, ↑remover, ↑mover; adjective: ↑movable, ↑unmoved, ↑moving; verb: ↑move, ↑remove; adverb: ↑movingly]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: mouvoir, from Latin movere]
1. CHANGE PLACE [intransitive and transitive] to change from one place or position to another, or to make something do this:
Please keep the doors closed while the train is moving.
‘Come on,’ Sue said. No one moved.
Could you move your car, please? It’s blocking the road.
move quickly/slowly/steadily etc
The plane moved slowly along the runway, then stopped.
move away/out/to/towards etc
He moved closer to her.
Becca moved down the steps and into the yard.
move about/around
I could hear someone moving around upstairs.
The bar was so crowded you could hardly move.
At Christmas, you couldn’t move for toys in this house (=there were a lot of toys).
Paul couldn’t move a muscle (=could not move at all) he was so scared.
2. NEW HOUSE/OFFICE [intransitive and transitive] if a person or company moves, or if you move them, they go to live or work in a different place:
We’ve moved seven or eight times in the last five years.
move to/into/from
When are you moving to Memphis?
They’ve moved into bigger offices in London.
move somebody to/into/from etc something
He had to move his mother into a nursing home.
The company is moving its sales center downtown.
move house/home British English (=go to live in a different house)
My parents kept moving house because of my dad’s job.
3. CHANGE OPINION ETC
a) [intransitive] to change from one opinion or way of thinking to another SYN shift:
Neither side is willing to move on the issue of territory.
move towards/away from
The two political parties have moved closer towards each other in recent months.
At this stage, children move further away from the influence of their parents, and depend more on their friends.
b) [transitive] to persuade someone to change their opinion:
She won’t be moved – it doesn’t matter what you say to her.
4. PROGRESS [intransitive] to make progress in a particular way or at a particular rate:
Things moved quickly once the contract was signed.
The negotiations seem to be moving in the right direction.
get/keep things moving
The plan should boost employment and get things moving in the economy.
5. TAKE ACTION [intransitive] to start taking action, especially in order to achieve something or deal with a problem
move on/against
The governor has yet to move on any of the recommendations in the report.
move fast/quickly/swiftly
You’ll have to move fast if you want to get a place on the course.
6. CHANGE JOB/CLASS ETC [intransitive and transitive] to change to a different job, class etc, or to make someone change to a different job, class etc SYN transfer
move somebody to/into/from something
Several students were moved from the beginners’ class into the intermediate one.
He spent five years at KLP, before moving to IMed as a manager.
7. EMOTION [transitive] to make someone feel strong emotions, especially of sadness or sympathy
be deeply/genuinely/profoundly moved
Russell was deeply moved by what he heard.
His speech moved the audience to tears. ⇨ ↑moving(1)
8. CAUSE SOMEBODY TO DO SOMETHING [transitive] to cause someone to do something
move somebody to do something
Seeing her there had moved him to think about the time they had together.
be/feel moved to do something
I have never before felt moved to write, but I feel I must protest.
9. TIME/ORDER [transitive] to change the time or order of something
move something to/from something
Could we move the meeting to Thursday?
10. CHANGE SUBJECT [intransitive] to start talking or writing about a different subject
move away from/off/to etc
We seem to be moving away from the main point of the discussion. ⇨ ↑move on(4)
11. get moving (also move it) spoken used to tell someone to hurry:
Come on, get moving or you’ll be late for school.
12. it’s time I was moving/we ought to get moving etc spoken used to say that you need to leave or go somewhere:
I think it’s time we were moving.
I ought to get moving – I have to be up early tomorrow.
13. GAMES [intransitive and transitive] to change the position of one of the objects used to play a game such as ↑chess
14. AT A MEETING [intransitive and transitive] formal to officially make a proposal at a meeting
move that
The chairman moves that the meeting be adjourned.
move to do something
I move to approve the minutes as read.
move an amendment British English (=suggest a change)
They want to move an amendment to the bill.
15. GO FAST [intransitive] informal to travel very fast:
This car can really move!
16. BE BOUGHT [intransitive] if things of a particular kind are moving, they are being bought, especially at a particular rate:
The highest-priced homes are still moving slowly.
17. move with the times to change the way you think and behave, as society changes:
If the resorts want to keep attracting tourists, they need to move with the times.
18. move in ... circles/society/world to spend a lot of time with a particular type of people and know them well:
She spent time in England, where she moved in high society.
move the goalposts at ↑goalpost(2), ⇨ move in for the kill at ↑kill2(2), ⇨ move heaven and earth at ↑heaven(9), ⇨ when the spirit moves you at ↑spirit1(15)
• • •
THESAURUS
move to go to a different place, or change the position of your body: Sarah moved away from the window. | Every time I move I get a pain in my left shoulder.
sway to move slowly from one side to the other: The branches swayed in the wind. | Donny swayed drunkenly as he walked back to his car.
rock to move repeatedly from one side to another, with small gentle movements: He rocked backward and forward in his chair. | The boat rocked from side to side with the waves.
wobble to move unsteadily from side to side: The bike wobbled a bit, but she soon got it under control.
fidget to keep moving or playing with your fingers, hands, feet etc, because you are bored or nervous: Diana fidgeted nervously with her pencil.
squirm to make very small movements from side to side with your body, especially because you feel uncomfortable: By the end of the hour, most of the children were squirming in their seats.
wriggle to make small movements from side to side, especially in order to get into or out of something: The dog wriggled under the fence and escaped into the street. | She managed to wriggle into the dress, but it was much too tight.
twitch if part of your body twitches, it makes small movements that you cannot control: A muscle on Yang’s face twitched.
stir written to make a movement – used especially when describing a situation in which no one moves, or someone wakes up: In the village a dog barked but no one stirred | The sleeping child stirred and opened her eyes.
budge to move – used when you are trying hard to make something move, often without success: The piano wouldn’t budge.
■ to move to a different house, office etc
move to move to a different house, office etc: They’ve moved back to Santiago. | My brother’s helping us move house.
relocate to move to a different place – used about companies, organizations, and people who work for them: NATO’s main headquarters relocated to Brussels. | Klein is relocating to London to head up the investment banking team.
■ not moving
still not moving – use this especially about people who are not moving, or about places where there is no wind: There was no wind and the trees were completely still. | Keep still while I tie your shoes.
stationary not moving – use this about cars, trains, or objects: The truck swerved and hit a stationary vehicle.
immobile not moving or not able to move, especially because of fear or tiredness: As the disease progressed, she became increasingly immobile.
motionless completely still – used especially in literature: Kemp sat motionless as the verdict was read.
calm not moving because there is no wind – use this about air and water: The lake was calm.
be at a standstill if traffic is at a standstill it is not moving: Traffic was at a standstill on the motorway.
move along phrasal verb
1. if a process or situation is moving along, or if you move it along, it continues and makes progress:
Construction of the bridge is moving along.
move something along
I hope we can move things along and get the negotiations going again.
2. move somebody ↔along to officially order someone to leave a public place:
A queue formed by the gates, and a policeman tried to move people along.
move around phrasal verb
to change where you live very frequently, especially so that you live in many different parts of a country:
My dad was in the army, so we moved around a lot.
move away phrasal verb
to go to live in a different area:
My best friend moved away when I was ten.
move down (something) phrasal verb
to change to a lower group, rank, or level:
Interest rates have moved down.
A drop in wages has meant that these families have moved down the economic scale.
move in phrasal verb
1. (also move into something) to start living in a new home OPP move out:
When are you moving in?
Mom and Dad had always planned to move into a smaller house when we grew up.
2. to start living with someone in the same home
move in with
Steve’s going to move in with her.
3. to start being involved in and controlling a situation that someone else controlled previously:
The big multinationals moved in and started pushing up prices.
move in on
Investors moved in on a group of car enthusiasts and took over the market.
4. to go towards a place or group of people, in order to attack them or take control of them
move in on
Police moved in on the demonstrators in the square.
move off phrasal verb especially British English
if a vehicle or group of people moves off, it starts to leave:
Always check behind the car before you move off.
move on phrasal verb
1. CHANGE JOB/CLASS to leave your present job, class, or activity and start doing another one:
I enjoyed my job, but it was time to move on.
move on to
When you finish, move on to the next exercise.
move on to higher/better things (=get a better job or social position – used humorously)
Jeremy’s leaving the company to move on to higher things.
2. CHANGE/DEVELOP
a) to develop in your life, and change your relationships, interests, activities etc:
I’ve moved on since high school, and now I don’t have much in common with some of my old friends.
move on from
She has long since moved on from the roles of her youth.
b) to change, progress, improve, or become more modern as time passes:
By the time the software was ready, the market had moved on.
3. move somebody on British English to order someone to leave a particular place – used especially about police:
The police arrived on the scene and began moving the protesters on.
4. CHANGE SUBJECT to start talking about a new subject in a discussion, book etc:
Before we move on, does anyone have any questions?
5. CONTINUE JOURNEY to leave the place where you have been staying and continue to another place:
After three days we decided it was time to move on.
move on to
The exhibition has now moved on to Edinburgh.
6. TIME if time, the year etc moves on, the time passes:
As time moves on, I’d like the children to play more challenging music.
7. time is moving on British English spoken used to say that you must leave soon or do something soon, because it is getting late:
Time’s moving on – we’d better get back to the car.
move out phrasal verb
1. to leave the house where you are living now in order to go and live somewhere else OPP move in:
He moved out, and a year later they were divorced.
move out of
They moved out of London when he was little.
2. if a group of soldiers moves out, they leave a place
3. American English spoken to leave:
Are you ready to move out?
move over phrasal verb
1. to change position so that there is more space for someone else:
Move over a little, so I can get in.
2. to start using a different system, doing a different type of work etc
move over to
Most companies have moved over to computer-aided design systems.
3. to change jobs, especially within the same organization or industry
move over from
The company’s new publisher just moved over from Villard Books.
4. move over Madonna/Walt Disney/CD-ROMs etc used when saying that something new is becoming more popular than something older – used humorously:
Move over, Armani, there’s a new designer taking the fashion scene by storm.

move up phrasal verb
1. to get a better job in a company, or change to a more advanced group, higher rank, or higher level:
To move up, you’ll need the right training.
Share prices moved up this month.
move up to
The kids learn fast, and can’t wait to move up to the junior team.
He was moving up the ladder (=getting higher and higher positions), getting experience of command.
He’s moved up in the world (=got a better job or social position) in the last few years, and his new flat shows it.
2. especially British English to change position in order to make more space for other people or things or be near someone else:
There’s room for one more if everyone moves up a bit.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

move

move [move moves moved moving] verb, noun   [muːv]    [muːv] 

verb  

CHANGE POSITION
1. intransitive, transitive to change position or make sb/sth change position in a way that can be seen, heard or felt
Don't move— stay perfectly still.
The bus was already moving when I jumped onto it.
+ adv./prep. 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.
~ sth I can't move my fingers.

~ sth + adv./prep. We moved our chairs a little nearer.  

CHANGE IDEAS/TIME

2. intransitive, transitive to change; to change sth
Syn:  shift
(+ adv./prep.) The government has not moved on this issue.

~ sth (+ adv./prep.) Let's move the meeting to Wednesday.  

MAKE PROGRESS

3. intransitive ~ (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. intransitive to take action; to do sth
Syn:  act

• The police moved quickly to dispel the rumours.  

CHANGE HOUSE/JOB

5. intransitive, transitive to change the place where you live, have your work, etc
We don't like it here so we've decided to move.
~ (from…) (to…) The company's moving to Scotland.
~ away She's been all on her own since her daughter moved away.

~ house (BrE) We moved house last week.

6. transitive ~ 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. intransitive, transitive (in chess  and other board games) to change the position of a piece
• It's your turn to move.

~ sth She moved her queen.  

CAUSE STRONG FEELINGS

8. transitive to cause sb to have strong feelings, especially of sympathy or sadness
~ sb We were deeply moved by her plight.
~ sb to sth Grown men were moved to tears at the horrific scenes.

see also  moving  

MAKE SB DO STH

9. transitive (formal) to cause sb to do sth
Syn:  prompt
~ sb to do sth She felt moved to address the crowd.

~ sb He works when the spirit moves him (= when he wants to).  

SUGGEST FORMALLY

10. transitive (formal) to suggest sth formally so that it can be discussed and decided
Syn: put forward
~ sth The Opposition moved an amendment to the Bill.
~ that… I move that a vote be taken on this.
more at move your ass at  ass, moving forward at  forward  adv.
 
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French moveir, from Latin movere.  
Thesaurus:
move verb
1. I, T
Don't move— stay perfectly still.
Don't move that box— leave it just where it is.
stirshift|informal budge|formal dislodge
move/stir/shift/budge/dislodge (sth) from sth
move/shift (sth) from sth to sth
won't/wouldn't/refuse to move/stir/shift/budge
2. I (always used with an adverb or preposition)
She moved towards the window.
gotravelrunmake your waymake for sthheadgetpassadvance|formal proceed
move/go/travel/run/make your way/get/pass/advance/proceed from… to…
move/go/travel/run/make your way/head/advance/proceed towards sb/sth
3. I (always used with an adverb or preposition)
The project is not moving forward as fast as we had hoped.
developprogressadvanceimproveevolvematureget better|informal come along/on|especially journalism shape up
move/develop/progress/evolve/mature from sth
move/develop/progress/evolve to sth
move/develop/progress/advance/evolve towards/beyond sth
4. I, T
I'm moving to Scotland.
move outrelocateleavequitemigratemigrate
move/move out/relocate/emigrate/migrate from… to…
decide/plan/want to move/move out/relocate/leave/quit/emigrate
5. T
He was deeply moved by her story.
affecttouchimpresstake sb's breath awaydazzle
move/impress/dazzle sb with sth
it moves/touches/impresses sb to see/hear sth
move/affect/touch/impress sb deeply
Move, touch or affect? You can be moved by sth that happens to sb else, especially sth sad; you can be touched by what sb else does, especially a small act of kindness they do for you; you are affected by sth that happens to you, or to sb else, but the emphasis is on the effect it has on you.  
Synonyms:
action
measure step act move
These are all words for a thing that sb does.
actiona thing that sb does: Her quick action saved the child's life.
measurean official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim: Tougher measures against racism are needed.
stepone of a series of things that you do in order to achieve sth: This was a first step towards a united Europe.
acta thing that sb does: an act of kindness
action or act?
These two words have the same meaning but are used in different patterns. An act is usually followed by of and/or used with an adjective. Action is not usually used with of but is often used with his, her, etc.: a heroic act of bravery ◊ a heroic action of bravery ◊ his heroic actions/acts during the war. Action often combines with take but act does not: We shall take whatever acts are necessary.
move(used especially in journalism) an action that you do or need to do to achieve sth: They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.
to take action/measures/steps
to make a step/move
a heroic/brave/daring action/step/act/move 
Example Bank:
‘Certainly not!’ he was moved to protest.
All her family have moved away so she's on her own.
As the delays got worse he was moved to make a mild complaint.
Black clouds moved across the sky.
Can you move down the steps?
Don't move— stay perfectly still.
He worked as a sales rep before moving to the marketing department.
He works hard when the spirit moves him.
He's recently been moved from our Head Office.
I can't move my fingers.
I'm being moved to the New York office.
Move your chairs a little closer.
Moving can be an extremely stressful experience.
Several major industries have been moved from the north to the south of the country.
Someone had moved the bike from where I left it.
The company is moving to Scotland.
The film moved me so much, I started to weep.
The papers on his desk had been moved.
The police told us to move on.
The traffic moved slowly along the highway.
The woman's story had really moved her.
They've moved house three times in the past year.
We moved a little nearer.
We moved here in 2003.
We waved as the train moved off.
We've decided to move her into the Accounts Department.
You can hardly move in this bar.
You can't move for books in her room.
Idioms: get a move on  get moving  get something moving  make a move  make a move on somebody  make a/your move  make the first move  move heaven and earth  move with the times  on the move

Derived: move along  move in  move in something  move in with somebody  move into something  move off  move on  move out  move over  move somebody on 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

move / muːv / verb (CHANGE POSITION)

A2 [ I or T ] to (cause to) change position:

I'm so cold I can't move my fingers.

Will you help me move this table to the back room?

Can we move (= change the time of) the meeting from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. ?

Don't move! Stay right where you are.

I thought I could hear someone moving about/around upstairs.

If you move along/over/up (= go further to the side, back, or front) a bit, Tess can sit next to me.

Police officers at the scene of the accident were asking passers-by to move along/on (= to go to a different place) .

Come on, it's time we were moving (= time for us to leave) .

Let's stay here tonight, then move on (= continue our journey) tomorrow morning.

[ I or T ] to change the position of one of the pieces used in a board game:

In chess, the pieces can only move in certain directions.
 

move / muːv / verb (CHANGE PLACE)

B1 [ I ] to go to a different place to live or work:

We're moving to Paris.

They've bought a new house, but it will need a lot of work before they can move into it/move in .

I hear Paula has moved in with her boyfriend (= gone to live in his house) .

The couple next door moved away (= went to live somewhere else) last year.

A lot of businesses are moving out of London because it's too expensive.

move house B1 UK to leave your home in order to live in a new one:

We're moving house next week.
 

move / muːv / verb [ I or T ] (PROGRESS)

to (cause to) progress, change, or happen in a particular way or direction:

The judge's decision will allow the case to move forward .

If you want to move ahead in your career, you'll have to work harder.

Share prices moved up/down slowly yesterday.

Sophie has been moved up/down a grade at school.

It's time this company moved into (= started to take advantage of the benefits of) the computer age.
 

move / muːv / verb [ T ] (CAUSE)

to cause someone to take action:

[ + obj + to infinitive ] formal I can't imagine what could have moved him to say such a thing.
 

move / muːv / verb [ I or T ] (CHANGE OPINION)

to (cause to) change an opinion or the way in which you live or work:

He's made up his mind, and nothing you can say will move him on the issue.

More and more people are moving away from/towards vegetarianism.
 

move / muːv / verb [ T ] (FEELINGS)

B2 to cause someone to have strong feelings, such as sadness, sympathy, happiness, or admiration:

She said that she was deeply moved by all the letters of sympathy she had received.

It was such a sad film that it moved him to tears (= made him cry) .
 

move / muːv / verb [ I or T ] informal (SELL)

to sell:

No one wants to buy these toys - we just can't move them.

This new shampoo is moving really fast.
 

move / muːv / verb [ I or T ] informal (SELL)

to sell:

No one wants to buy these toys - we just can't move them.

This new shampoo is moving really fast.

 

move / muːv / verb [ I or T ] specialized (SUGGEST)

to suggest something, especially formally at a meeting or in a law court:

A vote was just about to be taken when someone stood up and said that they wished to move an amendment.

[ + that ] I should like to move that the proposal be accepted.

Your Honour, we wish to move for dismissal of the charges.
 

move / muːv / verb [ I or T ] polite word (PASS)

(used especially by doctors and nurses) to pass the contents of the bowels out of the body:

The doctor asked him if he'd moved his bowels that day.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

move

/mu:v/
(moves, moving, moved)

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.
When you move something or when it moves, its position changes and it does not remain still.
She moved the sheaf of papers into position...
A traffic warden asked him to move his car...
I could see the branches of the trees moving back and forth...
The train began to move.
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n, V prep/adv, V

2.
When you move, you change your position or go to a different place.
She waited for him to get up, but he didn’t move...
He moved around the room, putting his possessions together...
VERB: V, V prep/adv

Move is also a noun.
The doctor made a move towards the door...
Daniel’s eyes followed her every move.
= movement
N-COUNT: usu sing

3.
If you move, you act or you begin to do something.
Industrialists must move fast to take advantage of new opportunities in Eastern Europe.
= act
VERB: V

4.
A move is an action that you take in order to achieve something.
The one point cut in interest rates was a wise move...
The thirty-five member nations agreed to the move...
N-COUNT: usu sing

5.
If a person or company moves, they leave the building where they have been living or working, and they go to live or work in a different place, taking their possessions with them.
My family home is in Yorkshire and they don’t want to move...
She had often considered moving to London...
They move house fairly frequently...
VERB: V, V to n, V n

Move is also a noun.
Modigliani announced his move to Montparnasse in 1909.
N-COUNT

6.
If people in authority move someone, they make that person go from one place or job to another one.
His superiors moved him to another parish...
Ms Clark is still in position and there are no plans to move her...
= transfer
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n

7.
If you move from one job or interest to another, you change to it.
He moved from being an extramural tutor to being a lecturer in social history...
In the early days Christina moved jobs to get experience.
VERB: V from/to n/-ing, V n

Move is also a noun.
His move to the chairmanship means he will take a less active role in day-to-day management.
N-COUNT

8.
If you move to a new topic in a conversation, you start talking about something different.
Let’s move to another subject, Dan.
VERB: V from/to n/-ing

9.
If you move an event or the date of an event, you change the time at which it happens.
The club has moved its meeting to Saturday, January 22nd...
The band have moved forward their Leeds date to October 27.
VERB: V n to n, V n with adv, also V n

10.
If you move towards a particular state, activity, or opinion, you start to be in that state, do that activity, or have that opinion.
Since the Convention was drawn up international opinion has begun to move against it.
VERB: V prep/adv

Move is also a noun.
His move to the left was not a sudden leap but a natural working out of ideas.
= shift
N-COUNT

11.
If a situation or process is moving, it is developing or progressing, rather than staying still.
Events are moving fast...
Someone has got to get things moving.
VERB: usu cont, V, V n -ing

12.
If you say that you will not be moved, you mean that you have come to a decision and nothing will change your mind.
Everyone thought I was mad to go back, but I wouldn’t be moved.
= budge
VERB: usu passive, with neg, be V-ed

13.
If something moves you to do something, it influences you and causes you to do it.
It was punk that first moved him to join a band seriously...
VERB: V n to-inf

14.
If something moves you, it has an effect on your emotions and causes you to feel sadness or sympathy for another person.
These stories surprised and moved me...
His prayer moved me to tears.
VERB: V n, V n to n
moved
Those who listened to him were deeply moved.
ADJ: v-link ADJ

15.
If you say that someone moves in a particular society, circle, or world, you mean that they know people in a particular social class or group and spend most of their time with them.
She moves in high-society circles in London...
VERB: V in n

16.
At a meeting, if you move a motion, you formally suggest it so that everyone present can vote on it.
Labour quickly moved a closure motion to end the debate...
I move that the case be dismissed.
= put forward, propose
VERB: V n, V that

17.
A move is an act of putting a chess piece or other counter in a different position on a board when it is your turn to do so in a game.
With no idea of what to do for my next move, my hand hovered over the board.
N-COUNT

18.
If you say that one false move will cause a disaster, you mean that you or someone else must not make any mistakes because the situation is so difficult or dangerous.
He knew one false move would end in death.
PHRASE

19.
If you tell someone to get a move on, you are telling them to hurry. (INFORMAL)
= hurry up
PHRASE

20.
If you make a move, you prepare or begin to leave one place and go somewhere else.
He glanced at his wristwatch. ‘I suppose we’d better make a move.’
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR to-inf

21.
If you make a move, you take a course of action.
The week before the deal was supposed to close, fifteen Japanese banks made a move to pull out...
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR to-inf

22.
If you are on the move, you are going from one place to another.
Jack never wanted to stay in one place for very long, so they were always on the move.
PHRASE: usu PHR after v, v-link PHR

23.
to move the goalposts: see goalpost
to move a muscle: see muscle

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1move /ˈmuːv/ verb moves; moved; mov·ing
1 a [+ obj] : to cause (something or someone) to go from one place or position to another
• He moved the chair closer to the table.
• It may be necessary to move the patient to intensive care.
• The breeze moved the branches of the trees.
• The knife had sunk deeply into the wood and couldn't be moved. [=budged]
b [no obj] : to go from one place or position to another
• The boat moved [=rocked] slowly from side to side as the wind rose.
• The branches moved gently in the breeze.
2 a : to cause (your body or a part of your body) to go from one position to another

[+ obj]

• She was unable to move her legs.
• Nobody moved a muscle. [=nobody moved at all; everyone was very still]

[no obj]

• The dancers moved gracefully.
• Nobody moved.
• She was so frightened that she could hardly move.
• I moved over so that she could sit next to me.
b [no obj] : to go or walk from one place to another
• We moved into the shade.
• The police were moving through the crowd telling people to move toward the exit.
• People were moving (about/around) freely.
• We could hear someone moving around upstairs.
move along
• They moved closer to each other and spoke in whispers.
3 [+ obj]
a : to cause (something) to go to a specified place or to proceed in a specified way
• The records show that she moved large amounts of money to a foreign bank account.
• He lacks enough support to move his proposals through the legislature.
b : to cause (something) to happen at a different time
• The meeting has been moved [=changed] to this afternoon.
4 always followed by an adverb or preposition : to go to a different and usually higher position

[no obj]

• The team has moved into second place.
• She has been steadily moving up the corporate ladder.
• Congratulations on your promotion. It's nice to see how you're moving up in the world.

[+ obj]

• A win will move the team into second place.
5 a : to go to a different place to live

[no obj]

• We've had to move twice in the past year.
• He didn't like small towns and decided to move to the city.
• We're planning to move into a new apartment.
• He moved (away) with his family to California.

[+ obj]

• He moved his family to California.
• (Brit) We've had to move house twice in the past year.
b : to go to a different place to work or do business

[no obj]

• The company is moving from New York to Chicago.

[+ obj]

• The company is moving its offices from New York to Chicago.
- see also moving 3
6 [+ obj]
a : to affect the feelings of (someone) : to cause (someone) to feel an emotion and especially sadness or sympathy
• The sad story of his childhood moved us deeply.
• I was greatly moved by his story/kindness.
• He's not easily moved to anger. [=he does not become angry easily]
• His story moved us to tears. [=it affected us so strongly that we cried]
- see also moving 2
b : to cause (someone) to act or think in a specified way - followed by to + verb
• The report moved [=persuaded] me to change my mind.
• His arguments moved them to reconsider the plan.
• I felt moved [=compelled] to speak.
c : to cause (someone) to feel or think in a different way
• We were unable to move him from his convictions.
• He would not be moved.
7 [no obj] : to take action : act
• We need to move quickly to close this deal.
• He was waiting for the right time to move against his enemies.
• She hasn't yet moved on their recommendations.
• We must move [=proceed] very carefully to avoid offending them.
8 a : to formally make a suggestion or proposal at a meeting

[no obj]

- + for
• She moved for an adjournment.

[+ obj]

• She moved to adjourn the meeting. = She moved that the meeting be adjourned.
b [no obj] law : to make a formal request to a court of law or judge for something to be done or happen - + for
• His lawyer moved for a mistrial.
• The plaintiff moved for a retrial.
9 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to make progress
• The plot of the novel moves [=develops] slowly.
• They're moving closer to making a decision.
10 informal : sell

[+ obj]

• a store that moves a lot of merchandise

[no obj]

• The products have been moving slowly.
11 [no obj] informal : to go fast
• When the police car passed us it was really moving.
12 [no obj] : to spend time with a particular group of people or at a particular level of society
• She moves in high circles. [=she is friendly with wealthy and powerful people]
• She and her sister move in very different circles. [=they are friendly with very different groups of people]
13 [no obj] informal : to leave a place
• It was getting late and I thought it was time to be moving. [=going]
14 : to cause a piece in a game (such as chess or checkers) to go from one place to another

[+ obj]

• He moved a pawn.

[no obj]

• It's your turn to move.
as/when the spirit moves you
- see 1spirit
get moving informal : to start moving or going quickly
• We need to get moving [=hurry] or we'll miss the show.
move ahead/along
1 : to make progress
• The project is finally starting to move ahead.
2 : to go on to something else
• Let's move along [=move on] to the next item.
move heaven and earth : to work very hard to do something
• He vowed that he would move heaven and earth to finish the project on schedule.
move in [phrasal verb]
1 : to start living in a house, apartment, etc.
• I remember when our neighbors first moved in.
• He's planning to move in with his girlfriend.
2 move in on (someone or something) : to move closer or nearer to (someone or something that you are trying to reach, get, etc.)
• The police moved in on [=closed in on] the wanted criminal.
• The police moved in on the criminal's hideout.
• The lion was moving in on its prey.
- often used figuratively
• Our competitors are trying to move in on our territory. [=trying to get control of our territory]
• He was trying to move in on my girlfriend. [=trying to take my girlfriend from me]
move it US informal : to start moving or going quickly
• We'd better move it if we don't want to be late.
move on [phrasal verb] : to go on to a different place, subject, activity, etc.
• Let's put that issue aside and move on.
• We should move on [=move ahead] to the next item on the list.
• After 10 years working for one company, she felt it was time to move on to a new job.
move out [phrasal verb] : to leave your house, apartment, etc., and go to live somewhere else
• He was 20 when he moved out of his parents' house.
• Her lease ends next month, so she'll have to move out (of her apartment) soon.

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