going through the motions
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Bennett, age 91, and Mr. Hytner, 69, seem to be going through the motions with this effort, which feels like a forgettable Sunday-night PBS presentation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025
He was calling Speaker Mike Johnson, who was going through the motions of saying hello to patrons who had shown up for an early lunch.
From Slate • Dec. 2, 2025
What an incredible way to spend your time, because I've had other jobs that have felt like going through the motions or whatever.
From Salon • Apr. 17, 2025
Never smug or cynical while going through the motions, Damon and Affleck,who previously co-starred in a very different picture about male futility, Gus Van Sant’s minimalist stunner “Gerry,” slip into their amusingly one-dimensional roles.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 2, 2024
The dozen or so people in this car are all like me, going through the motions, stepping forward, trying not to run screaming from the train into the arms of Exclusion Guards with large guns.
From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed
