move over

move to one side to make space for someone else

B1

What does "move over" mean?

To move over means to shift your body to one side so that there is space for another person. You are not going far — just sliding along a seat, bench, or bed to create room next to you. This is one of the most common things people say when sharing a limited space, like a sofa, a bus seat, or a park bench. The imperative form — simply saying 'Move over!' or 'Can you move over?' — is by far the most natural way to use it. You can soften the request by adding words like 'a bit' or 'a little', or by starting with 'Could you...?' to sound more polite.

Examples

How to use it

move over

Used on its own as an imperative or in a request when the context makes it clear who needs to move and why.

Move over — I can't fit on the seat!

move over + a bit / a little / slightly

Adding a small amount word makes the request sound less abrupt and more natural in everyday speech.

Could you move over a little? There's not much room on this bench.

move over + for + person

Use 'for' to name the person you are making room for — never put the person directly after 'over'.

He moved over for the woman who had just got on the bus.

move over + to + place / surface

Use 'on' or 'to' with a surface or location to specify where the movement happens.

Can you move over on the sofa? I want to sit down too.

ask / tell + someone + to move over

Use this pattern when reporting that someone made the request rather than quoting it directly.

I asked my brother to move over so I could sit next to the window.

Common Collocations

move over a bitmove over for someonemove over on the sofa/bench/seatask someone to move overmove over to make room

Common Mistakes

Using a direct object

Because 'move over' is intransitive, you cannot place a person or pronoun directly after it. To say who you are making room for, use 'for + person' instead.

✗ Move over him so she can sit down.
✓ Move over for him so she can sit down.
Confusing 'move over' with 'move up'

'Move up' means to shift forward along a line or queue, while 'move over' means to shift sideways. They are not interchangeable when the direction matters.

✗ Move up — I need to sit next to you on the sofa.
✓ Move over — I need to sit next to you on the sofa.

Usage

This phrasal verb is most commonly used as a direct imperative in spoken English. It is neutral in register and used by all ages; it can be softened with 'a bit', 'a little', or 'could you' to sound more polite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'move over' always have to be used as a command?

No, although the imperative is the most common form, you can use 'move over' in many tenses. For example, you can say 'She moved over when she saw me coming' (past simple) or 'I'm going to move over so there's more space' (future with going to). The imperative just happens to be how most people first encounter it.

Does 'move over' have a different meaning in news headlines?

Yes — in headlines and commentary you might see 'move over' used figuratively to suggest that one thing is being replaced by something new, for example 'Move over, laptops — tablets are taking over.' This is a completely different, journalistic use of the phrase. On this page, we only cover the everyday physical sense of shifting to one side to make room.

What kinds of places or situations is 'move over' used in?

It is used in any shared physical space where seating or standing room is limited — sofas, benches, bus or train seats, cinema seats, car back seats, and even beds. The setting is usually clear from the situation, so you often do not need to describe the location in the sentence itself.

How do I make 'move over' sound more polite?

You can soften it in a few easy ways: add 'a bit' or 'a little' ('Can you move over a little?'), start with 'Could you...?' instead of a direct command, or use 'please' at the end. These small changes make the request sound much friendlier in social situations.

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