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.
While taking a break from unpacking the U-Haul on move-in day, Frank pointed to the incomplete home on their neighbor’s lot.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026
She told us that just before the scheduled August move-in date, Fringe told them the existing tenants had refused to leave and bailiffs were needed.
From BBC ● Jun. 9, 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
The sheer ruthlessness of the Throg move-in left him momentarily weak.
From Storm Over Warlock by Norton, Andre
Treasurys, given both JGBs and Treasurys tend to move in tandem.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
Rather, it was accompaniment: feeding, sheltering, driving, watching, and warning so no one had to move in isolation.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
Irrespective of whether the Spaniard sets Chelsea up in a back four or a five, his team will move in the same shape in attacking possession, namely 3-2-2-3 or 3-2-5.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
According to text messages displayed in court, the two also discussed a plan to move in together in February 2024, which Hernandez dubbed “Operation Awesome.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
The Lord certainly does move in mysterious ways.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
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.
