English Explanatory Dictionary

move the yardsticks

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To move the chains.
  2. To make progress, as used in political and corporate venues to express proactive actions.

Pronunciation

En-au-move the yardsticks.ogg

Word forms

move the yardsticks moves the yardsticks moving the yardsticks moved the yardsticks

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.

Related words

move the goalposts
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