motion

go through the motions

Fig. to make a feeble effort to do something; to do something insincerely or in cursory fashion. Jane isn't doing her best. She's just going through the motions. Bill was supposed to be raking the yard, but he was just going through the motions.

See also: through

motion (for) someone to do something

to give someone a hand signal to do something. The minister motioned the organist to begin playing. I motioned Ken to raise the curtain so the play could begin. Sally motioned for the waiter to bring the check. I will motion to the usher and try to get him to come over here and help us.

motion someone aside

to give a hand signal to someone to move aside. (See also motion someone to one side.) He motioned her aside and had a word with her. I motioned aside the guard and asked him a question.

See also: aside

motion someone away from someone or something

to give a hand signal to someone to move away from someone or something. She motioned me away from Susan. The police officer motioned the boys away from the wrecked car.

See also: away

motion someone to one side and motion someone to the side

to give someone a hand signal to move to the side of something, such as the road. (Very similar to motion someone aside.) The cop motioned her to the side of the road. Claire motioned Fred to one side, where she spoke to him.

See also: one, side

motion to someone

to make some sort of hand signal to a person. Did you motion to me? What do you want? I did not motion to you.

set something in motion

to start something moving. The mayor set the project in motion by digging the first shovelful of soil. I cannot set the procedure in motion until I receive a purchase order.

See also: set

table a motion

to postpone the discussion of something during a meeting. Mary suggested that they should table the motion. The motion for a new policy was tabled until the next meeting.

See also: table

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go through the motions

to do something because you are expected to do it and not because you want to (often in continuous tenses) 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.

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: put

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

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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 also set in motion something

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