set in motion

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Related Words

• commence
• create
• do
• establish
• found
• go ahead
• go into
• inaugurate
• initiate
• introduce
• launch
• lead
• make
• open
• prepare
• produce
• set up
• start
• undertake