A "motion to dismiss" is a legal request made by a defendant in a lawsuit, asking the court to dismiss the case before it goes to trial. This motion argues that even if all the facts presented by the plaintiff are true, there is no legal basis for the lawsuit to proceed. Common reasons for filing this motion include lack of jurisdiction, failure to state a claim, or expiration of the statute of limitations. If the court grants the motion to dismiss, the case is typically ended without a trial. However, if the motion is denied, the lawsuit continues, and the defendant may need to respond to the allegations. This process is an important part of the legal system, helping to filter out cases that do not have sufficient legal grounds.