A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

make a move • make one’s move
make a move —
1
. move from a stationary position: The rob-
ber said that if any of us made a move he would shoot. 2.
leave the place: We’d better make a move now, or we’ll be here
all night. 3. change one’s place of sojourn: The first holiday-
seekers are making a move to the seaside. 4. begin to act:
Unless we make a move soon, we shall be in a hopelessly weak
position.
Note:
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase make a movement—
1
. move in a specific manner: Mrs.
Morgan made a movement of protest but Francis looked to
Teversham for support. 2. (Military) make a planned change
in position: The regiment needed a good night’s sleep because
the plan was to make a movement at dawn.
make one’s move —
1
. have a turn in a game: After he made
his move, Capablanca would beg Mrs. Lasker not to worry,
because in his opinion her husband had the better position.
2. = make a move 4: Vehicle makers are pondering a number
of legal issues which must be addressed before they make their
move.
make a move on someone • move in on someone
make a move on someone —
1
. move towards a person in a
threatening way: He fell dead on the floor, clutching a knife
in his hand, cut down before he made a move on the man
who has challenged his dignity. 2. (coll.) approach a woman
in the hope of establishing a romantic relationship (also: put
the moves on someone): As soon as Ellen left the room, her
boyfriend made a move on me. 3. (coll.) act in hostility against
a person: Fortunately he had three high ranking uncles, the
Piccolo brothers, which would deter anyone from making a
move on him.
move in on someone —
1
. come closer to or surround a person
(preparing to attack): The police are moving in on the crim-
inals hiding in the house. 2. take up residence with smb., espe-
cially so as to inconvenience the person: My brother’s friend
moved in on us without us even asking him. 3. = make a move
make a face
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on someone 3: Some guys from New York moved in on me and
purchased my contract. I found out they forced my manager
to sell the contract, and didn’t even pay him.