Also: move into. (also preposition) to occupy or take possession of (a new residence, place of business, etc) or help (someone) to do this
informal to creep close (to), as in preparing to capture
informal to try to gain power or influence (over) or interfere (with)
Begin to occupy a residence or working place, as in We are scheduled to move in next month , or Helen is moving in with her sister . [Late 1800s]
move in on . Intrude on; also, try to take over or get control of. For example, Their sales force is moving in on our territory , or The police moved in on the gang . [Mid-1900s]
Noun use of verb phrase move in
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For all the vital high-level talk about plans and policy, there are also the basic practicalities of the preparation for the big move-in day, when everything official changes.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
“I just wanted something super move-in ready where I didn’t have to touch anything once I got in there.”
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 24, 2026
And those who do move forward take a “fast-track” option: Houses that are tens of thousands of dollars but are move-in ready.
From Slate ● Feb. 1, 2026
There is footage of the highly choreographed move-in and move-out process that happens every four years when a new first family moves into the White House.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 31, 2026
Our move-in took place in no furtive or clandestine fashion; our installation of ourselves in our semi-detached was performed well under the eye of the neighbouring public.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 159, July 14th, 1920 by Various
Any investment from Bhatia would be made to further position Liverpool for success, following FSG's move in 2023 to sell a minority stake in the club to global sports investment firm Dynasty.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
Cole was sold to Manchester United in a surprise move in January 1995, Keegan famously standing on the steps outside St James' Park to explain the decision to unhappy fans.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
Can you sell it if you decide to move in a few years?
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
Decision making also depends on interconnected feedback loops that allow information to move in both directions between brain regions.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 13, 2026
Our knees move in unison, bobbing up and down as we descend.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
