through the motions

1. see go through the motions.

Example Sentences

“I trust these guys. They want to win and they’re upset that we lost. And we have a choice — we can emotionally, mentally check out and just kind of go through the motions or we can dig down. And I know these guys are going to dig down.”

From Los Angeles Times

Katharine Coldiron, author of Junk Film: Why Bad Movies Matter, says it's better to watch a film-maker like Wiseau try hard and fall short, rather than someone going through the motions.

From BBC

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

From Salon

I am just going through the motions, pushing forward with a fake-it-till-I-make-it kind of attitude, believing once this week’s ‘weather bomb’ is over — or “bombogenesis,” or another menacing, meteorologists’ coined name thrown out for the latest explosive, fast-strengthening, impending-doom hyped storm, that my worry will subside.

From Salon

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

From BBC