moat

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

a durable competitive advantage that protects a business from rivals

Why this phrase?

From the water-filled ditch around a castle that keeps attackers at a distance.

Example

“Network effects are the moat that keeps competitors out.”

Dictionary details

Alternate forms

Component words

moat

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

playbook Neutral · CEFR B2

a set of proven methods, tactics, and moves for a given situation

burn rate Neutral · CEFR B2

the speed at which a company spends its cash reserves, usually measured per month

land grab Informal · CEFR B2

a fierce rush to capture as much market share or territory as possible, often before the market matures

pivot Neutral · CEFR B2

to change a company's direction or business model in response to what the market reveals

runway Neutral · CEFR B2

the amount of time a company can keep operating before its money runs out

default alive Neutral · CEFR C1

describing a startup whose normal growth will make it profitable without needing more funding

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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