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motion
poetry in motion
Something that is very elegant, graceful, and/or beautiful to observe, especially dance or the performing arts. The ballet was sublime to watch, truly poetry in motion.
the wheels are in motion
Things have begun developing, unfolding, or progressing. If you're going to act, you have to do it now, but once the wheels are in motion, there is no going back! Boss: "Jeff, what's the status of our new deployment strategy?" Jeff: "The wheels are in motion, we're just waiting for some final tests from the development team."
it's not the meat, it's the motion
It's not what you have, it's how you use it. The phrase is often used in a sexual way (as "meat" is a slang term for "penis"). Don't be discouraged—it's not the meat, it's the 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.
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.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.
motion someone to one side
and motion someone to the sideto 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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
go through the motions
Do something perfunctorily, or merely pretend to do it. For example, The team is so far behind that they're just going through the motions, or She didn't really grieve at his death; she just went through the motions. [c. 1800]
set in motion
Start something moving, give impetus to something, as in A press conference set the new project in motion. It is also put as set the wheels in motion, as in Let's set the wheels in motion for the new library wing. This idiom dates from about 1800. It was preceded by put in motion, which dates from the mid-1600s.
wheels in motion
motion-lotion
n. gasoline; motor fuel. (Citizens band radio.) Let’s stop up ahead for some motion-lotion.
go through the motions
To do something in a mechanical manner indicative of a lack of interest or involvement.
set in motion
To give impetus to: The indictment set the judicial process in motion.