Meaning of go through the motions | Babel Free

Definitions

To do something in a mechanical, unreflective manner, especially as a matter of routine and without commitment or enthusiasm; to perform a task perfunctorily.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“Aleck was a Christian from the cradle, and duty and the force of habit required her to go through the motions.”

“They went through the motions of living, but they didn't live.”

“In screening an adviser, these should be your goals: —To determine whether he or she cares about helping clients or just goes through the motions […]”

“The whole "weapons of mass destruction" concern was phony from the start, and the drama about inspections was just kabuki: going through the motions.”

CEFR level