motion

go through the motions

to do something because you are expected to do it and not because you want to. These days when we go out, cook a meal together or even make love, I get the feeling that he's just going through the motions. (often in continuous tenses)

See also: through

put/set something in motion

if you set something in motion, you start it happening. The government have set in motion plans to reform the justice system.

See also: set

set the wheels in motion

to cause a series of actions to start that will help you achieve what you want. A phone call to the right person should set the wheels in motion.

See also: set, wheel

---

go through the motions

to do something without believing it is important. After his wife died, he went through the motions of living, without feeling much of anything.

See also: through

set something in motion

to start a process. The recommendation could set in motion the largest cleanup in US history.

Usage notes: also used in the form put something in motion: Louisiana already has an emergency response plan, which Foster put in motion shortly after the attacks.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of set something in motion (= to make something move)

See also: set