the driving force

driving force

The primary instigator, catalyst, or motivator that compels or directs something to happen. Major financial losses were the driving force behind the layoffs. For over 40 years she has been the driving force of this company, so her retirement leaves its future somewhat uncertain. He dreamed of being a driving force in his country's government someday.
See also: driving, force
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*the driving force (behind someone or something )

the person or a thing that motivates or directs someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; become ~; serve as~.) Making money is the driving force behind most businesses. Ambition is the driving force behind Tom. Love can also be the driving force.
See also: driving, force
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

the driving ˈforce (behind something)

the person or thing that makes something happen: She is the driving force behind this new road safety campaign.
See also: driving, force
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • driving force
  • driving force behind (something)
  • serve as the driving force
  • serve as the driving force (behind someone or something)
  • drive in
  • drive in(to)
  • drive into
  • drive-in
  • set the scene for
  • set the scene for (something)
References in classic literature
I think we may say the same of all the habits and aptitudes that we acquire in all of them there has been present throughout some instinctive activity, prompting at first rather inefficient movements, but supplying the driving force while more and more effective methods are being acquired.
"Here, the driving force is biochemical -- the protein-protein interaction."
The AGA0 transmission, which is installed in the Lexus LC500, is provided with an integrated powertrain control system to manage the driving force of the vehicle like the previous AT.
Idealized tire control consists chiefy of (1) the idealized yaw moment calculation: Me; (2) the difference calculation of the actual yaw the idealized yaw moment: M; (3) the room driving force ratio that is calculated in consideration of vertical load movement per wheel (front and rear, left and right); and (4) the driving force that could actually be demonstrated.
Contributors from business, information, and computer science look at technology as the driving force behind all the big and small enterprises, innovation as the driving force behind all the new ways to deal with new problems and needs arising in industries and research, and enterprise transformation with acceptance and active growth technology.
Chair of Habitat for Humanity, Cannon Dr Shannon Ledbetter said: "Liza has been the driving force behind our charity for almost three years, leading us through some difficult challenges and forging strong relationships.
Large-scale advective driving force is caused by large synoptic processes; the driving force is the same within the region of 50 km or larger.
The Ali brothers were the driving force behind the Khilafat Movement, which was concerned with the fate of the Caliph in the Ottoman Empire, but got entwined with the merging mass-based struggle for Indian freedom from British rule, of which Gandhi was the driving force.
The move will see the company hiring up to 30 recruitment consultants and administrative staff during 2012 - tripling the size of the Driving Force workforce from 15 to 45.
The move will see Gap hiring up to 30 recruitment consultants and admin staff during 2012 - tripling the size of the Driving Force workforce from 15 to 45.
Summary: DUBAI - assessment for 2010, as part of the corporation's commitment to high performers and belief that they are the driving force behind enhancing a company's performance.
Mike was the driving force behind the proposal for the very first festival and has been the artistic and organisational linchpin ever since.
That the driving force with females is emotion may well be true, in the main - equally the driving force with males is sex, sex and more sex.
BARRY HAYLES has been the driving force behind many of Plymouth's good results in 2007, and his suspension this afternoon will hit Argyle hard.
The Rev Tim Brooke, the former minister of St Francis of Assisi in Radford, once worked with the legendary Abbe Pierre, the driving force behind the international Emmaus charity.