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.
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.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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