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
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.
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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
By daring to dream big and embracing innovation, Smith has set the wheels in motion for a greener, more prosperous America – a testament to the extraordinary impact that visionaries can have on the world around them.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023
By daring to dream big and embracing innovation, Smith has set the wheels in motion for a greener, more prosperous America – a testament to the extraordinary impact that visionaries can have on the world around them.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023
Absolutely no pressure, but knowing there is someone who’s willing to help can set the wheels in motion for a woman to plan her safe exit from an abusive relationship.
—cleveland, 23 Apr. 2022
His Holiness greenlit the papal four-wheeler and set the wheels in motion for future emissions-free cruising.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 May 2021
What’s happened so far: The government has already set the wheels in motion for delving into the factors that contributed to the banks’ collapses.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 26 Mar. 2023
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
By daring to dream big and embracing innovation, Smith has set the wheels in motion for a greener, more prosperous America – a testament to the extraordinary impact that visionaries can have on the world around them.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023
By daring to dream big and embracing innovation, Smith has set the wheels in motion for a greener, more prosperous America – a testament to the extraordinary impact that visionaries can have on the world around them.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023
Absolutely no pressure, but knowing there is someone who’s willing to help can set the wheels in motion for a woman to plan her safe exit from an abusive relationship.
—cleveland, 23 Apr. 2022
His Holiness greenlit the papal four-wheeler and set the wheels in motion for future emissions-free cruising.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 May 2021
What’s happened so far: The government has already set the wheels in motion for delving into the factors that contributed to the banks’ collapses.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 26 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'set the wheels in motion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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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 27 Jul. 2024.
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