move the needle

Definitions

To change a situation to a noticeable degree; to make an appreciable difference.

idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

“Think⟳ Red Hots are a taste⟳ challenge⟳? Or the Atomic Fireball is the ultimate tongue torture? They barely move⟳ the needle for confectionery connoisseurs.”

“How does a participant in a sector, or an entire sector for that matter⟳, move⟳ the needle on climate change⟳?”

““[G]iven Apple’s huge success and its sheer magnitude, it needs a monstrous new product or enhancement of an existing product to move⟳ the needle on growth.””

“A North Star Metric (NSM) allows everyone, irrespective of team status, to ask⟳, “How is what I'm doing today helping move⟳ the needle on our NSM?””

“Speaking in January, OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman, appeared dismissive of NYT’s relevance to its products. “Any one particular training source, it doesn’t move⟳ the needle for us that much,” he said.”

CEFR level