move the problem

verb

To solve a problem in a way that creates another problem, often of equal nature and severity.

“The manager didn't trust the cashier with money, so she assigned a second cashier to watch the first one. But she didn't trust the second one either – she was basically just moving the problem.”

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Meanings

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

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

  1. To solve a problem in a way that creates another problem, often of equal nature and severity.

    The manager didn't trust the cashier with money, so she assigned a second cashier to watch the first one. But she didn't trust the second one either – she was basically just moving the problem.

Cite this entry
APA

move the problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/move%20the%20problem

MLA

“move the problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/move%20the%20problem. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “move the problem,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/move%20the%20problem.

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