Phrase guide

go through the motions

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

pretend to do something by acting as if one was really doing it

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She isn't really working--she's just going through the motions

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: make, pretend, make believe

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 走過場 /走过场 (zǒu guòchǎng) — do something in a mechanical manner
  • Chinese Mandarin: 敷衍 (fūyǎn) — do something in a mechanical manner
  • Finnish: suorittaa mekaanisesti — do something in a mechanical manner
  • Polish: markować — do something in a mechanical manner
  • Spanish: andar por inercia — do something in a mechanical manner
  • Spanish: seguir los ademanes — do something in a mechanical manner
  • Spanish: continuar maquinalmente — do something in a mechanical manner