a prime mover

prime mover

The person or thing that generates the initial energy or momentum for something to happen. The newly elected congresswoman has been the prime mover in the recent environmental reforms. While there was a confluence of events leading to his removal from office, it was the revelation of his tax evasion that was the prime mover.
See also: mover, prime
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

prime mover

Fig. the force that sets something going; someone or something that starts something off. The assistant manager was the prime mover in getting the manager sacked. Discontent with his job was the prime mover in John's deciding to retire early.
See also: mover, prime
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

prime mover

The initial source of energy directed toward a goal, someone or something that sets others in motion. For example, Jean was the prime mover in getting us more laboratory space, or Patriotism was the prime mover of the revolution. [Late 1600s]
See also: mover, prime
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a prime ˈmover

a person or a thing that starts something and has an important influence on its development: The prime mover in setting up the group was ex-lawyer James Stanley. Economic factors are the prime mover of change.
See also: mover, prime
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • prime mover
  • break a lance
  • lance
  • lightning doesn't strike twice
  • lightning never strikes (the same place) twice
  • Lightning never strikes twice
  • indication
  • advance notice
  • a New York minute
  • a one-day wonder
References in periodicals archive
'A prime mover can expect to earn between RM3,000 to RM4,000, and be given specialised training along the way,' he said.
Anchor Land deems itself as a prime mover in Bay City with its initial two high-end residential properties -Sole Mare Parksuites and Monarch Parksuites.
Antigua said a prime mover heading toward Mandaue City lost its brake while driving downhill approaching the foot of the bridge.
The optimal operating conditions are similar for both cases, with a prime mover PLR of 1.0 and all of the thermal output directed to meeting the heating load.
Fanshawe, a prime mover behind the Save Historic Newmarket Action Group, was hoping to give racing a much needed voice in the local political arena, but had to give best to Conservative candidate Janet Clarke in the poll for St Mary's Ward.
his keen judgment and foresight in recognizing the great potential of the gas turbine as a prime mover in marine service and for contributions that ultimately resulted in numerous applications in this field."
Barnett has been fined pounds 100,000 and had his licence withheld for 18 months ( nine months of which are suspended ( after being declared "a prime mover" in fixing the infamous meeting between the England defender, then at Arsenal, and Chelsea.
After 23 years as a New York choreographer and a prime mover in site-specific work, Koplowitz is moving to Los Angeles this August.
Chairman Hal Stratton was a prime mover in the implementation of a new federal web site, www.Recalls.gov that was launched in late November.
The U.S civil aviation system is an awesomely big affair that moves far too many passengers every day for it to be possible to plug every leak without imposing crippling costs and delays on a prime mover of the country and the world.
Keilitz also served as a member of the NCAA Council from 1989 to 1992, and as a prime mover on several prestigious committees.
The munitions hauler had a lot of experience working with the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Va., a prime mover in equipment and expertise in the munitions discharge.
However, downsizing can aggravate the relationship between a prime mover and its driven equipment in terms of torsional and lateral vibrations, and the resonance that amplifies these vibrations into destructive loads.
For example, if no data are available for a prime mover, then it cannot be used as a leading indicator, short of the lengthy process of developing new data that cover a substantial time period.