The Village Idiom

move house

When someone "moves house," it means they are changing their place of living, typically by relocating to a new residence. This idiom emphasizes the act of physically moving or transferring one's belongings from one house to another.

Filed under M

In a sentence

  • I'm planning to move house next month because I found a new job in a different city.
  • We decided to move house after our children moved out because we no longer needed all the space.
  • It was a difficult decision for the elderly couple to move house after living in the same neighborhood for over 40 years.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom "move furniture" is closely related to the expression "move house." When someone decides to move house, it often involves the physical task of relocating their belongings, including furniture, from one residence to another. This can be a challenging and time-consuming process, as furniture items can be bulky and require careful handling. Many people enlist the help of professional movers or friends to assist them in moving furniture during a house move.

An interesting idiom associated with "move house" is "out of house and home." This phrase emphasizes the drastic change that occurs when someone moves to a new residence. It suggests that the person is leaving their current home empty and devoid of possessions. When someone is "out of house and home," it implies that they have completely emptied their previous dwelling and have taken all their belongings with them to their new residence. This idiom can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who has been deprived of their possessions or has lost everything.

The phrase "to go" is another idiom related to "move house." When someone announces their intention to "move house," they are essentially saying that they plan to "go" or transition to a new living space. "To go" signifies the act of leaving one place and heading towards another. It can also imply a sense of movement and progression. The idiom "move house" captures this notion of going from one residence to another, indicating a physical and spatial transition.

The idiom "pull up stakes" is also connected to "move house." When someone decides to "pull up stakes," they are making a deliberate choice to uproot themselves and leave their current living situation. This expression has a sense of finality and decisiveness, as it implies that the person is severing ties with their current residence and moving on to something new. "Pulling up stakes" can involve mentally and emotionally detaching oneself from a particular place and embracing the unknown and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.