move the chains
The phrase "move the chains" originates from American football and has been adopted into general usage to describe making progress toward a goal.
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Definition
B2American football
(sports)To advance the ball far enough to achieve a first down, allowing the offensive drive to continue.
Example
- The team managed to move the chains with a short pass on third down.
B2General
(idiom)To make progress or achieve a goal, often in a step-by-step manner.
Example
- We need to move the chains on this project to meet the deadline.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "move the chains":
advance the ballmove the yardsticksfirst downdrag the chainmove itmake a movemove forwardpower move