movers and shakers
Britishplural noun
Etymology
Origin of movers and shakers
C20: perhaps from the line ``We are the movers and shakers of the world for ever'' in `Ode' by Arthur O'Shaughnessy (1844–81), British poet
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s all part of an effort, observers say, for the companies to properly position themselves with the movers and shakers in town.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 24, 2026
With a population of about 9.5 million and an underperforming economy, Hungary isn’t one of the earth’s movers and shakers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026
On the other a cohort of former players and established movers and shakers within the game who have become frustrated at a sport's perceived inability to grow, and who promise big financial backing.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2025
The Pacific Dining Car was once a popular eatery among L.A.’s movers and shakers, known for fine steaks and 24-hour service.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2025
Mom became even more concerned about my values when my editor offered me a job writing a weekly column about what he called the behind-the-scenes doings of the movers and shakers.
From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
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.
