[make] a move
1
to take action in order to achieve something
- No one made a move to help.
- They have made a move to expand their business into new markets.
- He made a move to apologize for his mistake yesterday.
- Right now, he is making a move to negotiate a better deal with the client.
- Tomorrow, we will make a move to finalize the contract.
2
to start to leave a place to get to somewhere else
The origin of the idiom "make a move" can be traced back to board games and card games. In games like chess and checkers, "making a move" refers to physically moving one of the pieces from its current position on the board to another space. This establishes the basic meaning of taking an action or advancing in some way.Today it is used to refer to someone departing. This phrase evolved gradually through everyday language and communication.
- She always hesitates before making a move to leave the party.
- They make a move every morning to get to work on time.
- The guests made a move to head home after the event ended.
- They will make a move once they finish packing their bags.
- I'll make a move after I say goodbye to everyone.