set in motion

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

set in motion

However, prices outside the U.S. would likely still be higher than they would have been without the ban being set in motion.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026

It opens at Harrenhal on the eve of an infamous tournament that set in motion events leading to the overthrow of King Aerys II Targaryen, the titular mad king.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

It also set in motion, Clay Risen writes, “the wheels of myth-making, idealism, and national self-interest that would guide the country through the twentieth century.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

Karyoptosis refers to a series of chemical reactions set in motion when toxic proteins accumulate inside a cell.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026

Because of the interconnectedness of an ecosystem, when any species is thrown off balance, the whole system is weakened and a chain reaction of failures is set in motion.

From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh

Related Words

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