the moves

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralinformal

   A series of dance steps or movements, especially when performed to music.

   Grammar: Always plural in this sense; used with 'the' or other determiners: 'the moves', 'some moves', 'his moves'.

   Patterns

   • the moves to a dance
   • show someone the moves
   • bust a move

   He showed me the moves to the latest dance craze.

   She has some impressive moves on the dance floor.

   The instructor taught us the moves step by step.

2. 2nounpluralinformal

   Actions or strategies taken to achieve something, especially in a competitive situation.

   Grammar: Plural noun; often used with 'make' or 'watch': 'make the moves', 'watch the moves'.

   Patterns

   • make the moves
   • watch someone's moves
   • the moves to do something

   The company made the moves necessary to enter the Asian market.

   In chess, you have to think several moves ahead.

   Politicians are watching the moves of their rivals closely.

Common combinations

bust a move

Come on, bust a move on the dance floor!

show someone the moves

Can you show me the moves for this TikTok dance?

make the moves

She made the moves to secure the promotion.

the moves to a song

I finally learned the moves to that popular song.

Synonyms and how they differ

steps

More specific to dance sequences; 'moves' is broader and can also mean strategies.

maneuvers

More formal and often used for military or political actions; 'moves' is informal and can refer to dance.

Word family

move verb

To change position or go from one place to another.

movement noun

An act of changing position; also a group of people working for a cause.

Commonly confused: the moves or move?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “the moves”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words