【make a move】 —

1. move from a stationary position:

• The robber said that if any of us made a move he would shoot.

2. leave the place:

• We’d better 【make a move】 now, or we’ll be here all night.

3. change one’s place of sojourn:

• The first holidayseekers are making a move to the seaside.

4. begin to act:

• Unless we 【make a move】 soon, we shall be in a hopelessly weak position.

Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase make a movement—

1. move in a specific manner:

• Mrs. Morgan made a movement of protest but Francis looked to Teversham for support.

2. (Military) make a planned change in position:

• The regiment needed a good night’s sleep because the plan was to make a movement at dawn.

make one’s move—

1. have a turn in a game:

• After he made his move, Capablanca would beg Mrs. Lasker not to worry, because in his opinion her husband had the better position.

2. = 【make a move】 4:

• Vehicle makers are pondering a number of legal issues which must be addressed before they make their move.