make the first move

phrase

: to act first
He was waiting for her to make the first move.

Examples of make the first move in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a wing person, and organizers frequently help introduce people who are too nervous to make the first move themselves. Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026 Rather than await the outcome, Farage made the first move by triggering an election himself. ABC News, 8 July 2026

Cite this Entry

“Make the first move.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20the%20first%20move. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster