go through the motions

phrase

: to do something without much effort toward success
He said he was looking for a job, but he was just going through the motions.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Go through the motions.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20through%20the%20motions. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!