advance the ball
The phrase "advance the ball" originates from sports but is widely used metaphorically to indicate progress in various fields.
Definition
B2Sports
(general)To move the ball closer to the goal to increase the chances of scoring.
Example
- The team worked together to advance the ball up the field.
C1Politics
(figurative)To make progress towards a shared or ultimate goal.
Example
- The senator's new policy aims to advance the ball on healthcare reform.
C1Business
(figurative)To take steps that contribute to achieving a business objective.
Example
- The team implemented new strategies to advance the ball on the project.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "advance the ball":
move the chainsmove aheadplay ballmove forwardreturn ballmove the yardsticksfirst downpush forwardball downlong ballmoving forwardball offahead in the countplay the ball and not the mandrop the ballmake a playjump ballstep forwardball upno ballgame ballother end of the ballfree ballplay the man and not the balldraw aheadhide the ballrun ahead