set the wheels in motion
idiom
: to do something essential to begin a process
With today's announcement, she has set the wheels in motion for a run for the presidency.
Examples of set the wheels in motion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With all that planning in place, Walden set the wheels in motion for Choco’s return in early December.
—
Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 14 Dec. 2025
His slick dish for Chris Kreider set the wheels in motion for Troy Terry’s tying goal.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 2025
The Hall of Famer’s intervention proved remarkably effective and immediately set the wheels in motion.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
Related Articles What set the wheels in motion for the second chapter was the appearance of her favorite cut.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 6 Mar. 2025
When the end of Yellowstone was officially announced last year, Paramount Network had set the wheels in motion for two more spinoffs.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2024
During the second meeting, discussions on the plan, rooted in their value system and thought process, can either stall or set the wheels in motion.
—Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
The omnipresence of the wedge–sometimes vertiginous and jet-setting but often orthopedic and ankle-supporting–set the wheels in motion for Chemena Kamali’s fall 2024 debut at Chloé.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 28 June 2024
Move Forward’s election victory jolted the political elite, which quickly set the wheels in motion to block the party’s ascent.
—Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
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Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 14 Dec. 2025
His slick dish for Chris Kreider set the wheels in motion for Troy Terry’s tying goal.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 2025
The Hall of Famer’s intervention proved remarkably effective and immediately set the wheels in motion.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
Related Articles What set the wheels in motion for the second chapter was the appearance of her favorite cut.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 6 Mar. 2025
When the end of Yellowstone was officially announced last year, Paramount Network had set the wheels in motion for two more spinoffs.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2024
During the second meeting, discussions on the plan, rooted in their value system and thought process, can either stall or set the wheels in motion.
—Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
The omnipresence of the wedge–sometimes vertiginous and jet-setting but often orthopedic and ankle-supporting–set the wheels in motion for Chemena Kamali’s fall 2024 debut at Chloé.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 28 June 2024
Move Forward’s election victory jolted the political elite, which quickly set the wheels in motion to block the party’s ascent.
—Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Set the wheels in motion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20the%20wheels%20in%20motion. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.
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