go through the motions

1. 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]

Example Sentences

Megan was kind though to not make the sting of the split worse by going through the motions of the wedding day just to say no.

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“It helps to go through the motions; even though she’s not here I still love her just as much as I did when she was.”

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What an incredible way to spend your time, because I've had other jobs that have felt like going through the motions or whatever.

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The reality was there for all to see as a squad lacking energy laboured and went through the motions in training.

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Said Curl: “We’re basically going against a starter every day in practice. ... It’s not like we’re going through the motions with the scout team.”

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