move forward

To make progress towards a goal or continue with a plan.

• We're ready to move forward.
• The talks moved forward after both sides agreed.
• Can we move forward with the new plan?

How to use it: move forward with something (We can now move forward with the plan.); move forward on something (They are ready to move forward on the project.)

Similar words: progress, advance, proceed

Opposites: stagnate, regress

Common phrases: move forward together, move forward with something, move forward on something

To go towards the front, or make someone or something go towards the front.

• Please move forward a little.
• The car moved forward slowly.
• She moved the chair forward to reach the table.

How to use it: move someone/something forward (Move your chair forward a little.)

Similar words: advance, go forward

Opposites: move backward

Common phrases: move forward slowly, move forward together, move something forward

To help a plan, project, or discussion get closer to its goal.

• This decision will move the project forward.
• Her questions moved the discussion forward.
• What could help us move these negotiations forward?

How to use it: move something forward (The new funding will move the project forward.)

Similar words: advance, further, promote

Opposites: hinder, delay

Common phrases: move something forward, move discussions forward, move plans forward

To change the date or time of an event so that it happens earlier.

• Can we move the meeting forward?
• They moved the appointment forward from Friday to Thursday.
• The deadline has been moved forward by a week.

How to use it: move something forward by an amount of time (We moved the meeting forward by two hours.); move something forward to a time/date (They moved the deadline forward to Monday.)

Similar words: bring forward, advance

Opposites: postpone

Common phrases: move something forward, move appointments forward, move deadlines forward

To adopt newer ideas or methods, or help something do this.

• The industry must move forward technologically.
• New equipment moved the factory forward into the digital age.
• Schools need to move forward by replacing outdated teaching methods.

How to use it: move something forward (Digital tools helped move the old business forward.)

Similar words: modernize, update

Common phrases: move forward technologically, move something forward