a false move
An action that shows one's defiance to someone's orders. The robber threatened to hurt us if we made a false move.
a/one false move
An action that threatens to worsen an already precarious situation. We didn't call the police because the robber said he'd hurt anyone who made a false move. If we make one false move now, we're liable to lose the house we're bidding on.
one false move
An action that shows one's defiance to someone's orders. The robber threatened to hurt us if we made one false move.
false move
and one false moveFig. [even] a single movement that indicates that one is disobeying an order to remain still or in a nonthreatening posture. The robber threatened to shoot us if we made one false move.
(make) a/one false ˈmove
(informal) in an already dangerous or risky situation, something which makes your position even more dangerous: She’s in a difficult financial situation, and if she makes a false move now she could lose everything.‘One false move and you’re dead,’ he shouted at the bank clerk.