move the chains

verb

To alter the position of the device, a chain holding two sticks ten yards apart, used to initially determine the position of the line crossing which yields a first down for the offense, which may be moved by penalties or by the offense gaining a first down.

Similar
move the yardsticks
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Meanings

verbmove the chains (third-person singular simple present moves the chains, present participle moving the chains, simple past and past participle moved the chains)

present singular third person moves the chains · participle present moving the chains · participle past moved the chains · past moved the chains

  1. American footballTo alter the position of the device, a chain holding two sticks ten yards apart, used to initially determine the position of the line crossing which yields a first down for the offense, which may be moved by penalties or by the offense gaining a first down.
  2. broadlyAmerican footballTo convert a play that would result in said chains being moved.

    Synonyms: move the yardsticks

  3. figurativelyTo advance toward a goal.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo convert a play that would result in said chains being moved.

Similar
move the yardsticks
Cite this entry
APA

move the chains. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/move%20the%20chains

MLA

“move the chains.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/move%20the%20chains. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “move the chains,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/move%20the%20chains.

Source: move the chains on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.