move the needle

move the needle

English

Etymology

From the indicator needle of a measuring instrument such as the speedometer

Verb

move the needle

1. (idiomatic) To change a situation to a noticeable degree.
   • 2002 July 28, Janice M. Horowitz, "Hot Stuff," Time (retrieved 8 Jan 2016):

     Think Red Hots are a taste challenge? Or the Atomic Fireball is the ultimate tongue torture? They barely move the needle for confectionery connoisseurs.

   • 2012 August 9, Eric Lowitt, "To solve climate change, let's move beyond climate change," Guardian (UK) (retrieved 8 Jan 2016):

     How does a participant in a sector, or an entire sector for that matter, move the needle on climate change?

   • 2016 May 19, James B. Stewart, "Warren Buffett Stake Suggests Apple Is All Grown Up," New York Times (retrieved 8 Jan 2016):

     “[G]iven Apple’s huge success and its sheer magnitude, it needs a monstrous new product or enhancement of an existing product to move the needle on growth.”