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

That is precisely what this intervention—with its shortcomings, its flaws, and its share of cynicism—will have begun to set in motion in Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

But there is less optimism over how much this will feed through to people's finances, with fears long-lasting damage has already been set in motion.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The researchers found that the crystals, made from an iron-containing compound called heme, are set in motion by the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

Their grief and fury set in motion the countervailing force of justice that, no matter how belated, cannot be denied.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Once set in motion, the plan could not be stopped without putting Germany at a crippling disadvantage.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

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