move the yardsticks en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
The phrase originates from American football, where every ten yards of forward progress by the offense moves the yardsticks ahead to measure the next ten yards of progress.
Meanings
- To move the chains.
- (idiomatic) To make progress, as used in political and corporate venues to express proactive actions.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| moved the yardsticks | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| moved the yardsticks | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| moving the yardsticks | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| moves the yardsticks | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |