# needle mover

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/needle-mover
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A factor which noticeably influences a performance.

## Examples

- This new marketing strategy is a real needle mover for our sales.
- The manager asked the team to focus only on projects that act as a needle mover for the company's annual growth.
- While the minor adjustments were helpful, the board of directors insisted on identifying a significant needle mover to ensure the firm remained competitive in the global market.

## Origin

From move the needle + -er.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.