go through the motions

Idioms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You should at least go through the motions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

“It makes little sense to go through the motions of a three-week evidentiary hearing and all that would follow without a compliant route that can be permitted,” Commission Staff Attorney Kristen Edwards said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 11, 2023

One's heart goes out to those journalists who bothered to go through the motions of carefully debunking Carlson's lies, knowing that not even his followers believe him.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2023

Because a lot of executives go through the motions but don’t actually enjoy genre.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2023

I go through the motions of flipping pages and scanning words, but I already know which entry’s heart beats the strongest or whatever, thanks to Dad.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023