ENGLISH
REFERENCE

move the yardsticks

idiom
Meaning

To make progress, as used in political and corporate venues to express proactive actions.

Origin

disputed origin

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.

Examples
SIMPLE

We need to move the yardsticks to finish this project on time.

CONTEXTUAL

The team met all morning to discuss how they could move the yardsticks before the quarterly review.

COMPLEX

Although the committee faced significant bureaucratic resistance, they remained determined to move the yardsticks and implement the necessary policy reforms.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bust a move

    To dance.

  2. 02

    get a move on

    To hurry up, to get moving.

  3. 03

    get moving

    To start hurrying to undertake a task.

  4. 04

    keep it moving

    To continue or advance notwithstanding any issue or obstacle.

  5. 05

    make a move

    To take action.

  6. 06

    move furniture

    To engage someone physically; to brawl.

  7. 07

    move heaven and earth

    To do whatever is necessary, including extreme or unusual actions; to go to extremes.

  8. 08

    move house

    To change one's place of residence.

Last updated April 17, 2026