move the yardsticks
The phrase "move the yardsticks" originates from American football and is widely used to describe making progress or altering standards in various contexts.
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Definition
B2American Football
(sports, technical)To advance the chains that measure the yardage gained by the offense, indicating progress on the field.
Example
- The team managed to move the yardsticks with a successful pass play.
B2General
(idiomatic, business, political)To make progress or achieve significant advancements.
Example
- The new marketing strategy helped move the yardsticks for the company's growth.
C1General
(idiomatic, business, political)To change the criteria or standards by which something is measured, often to make goals easier or harder to achieve.
Example
- By raising the performance targets, the management effectively moved the yardsticks.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "move the yardsticks":