The phrase “going through the motions” refers to doing something without enthusiasm, effort, or genuine involvement—essentially performing a task or activity in a mechanical or routine way. It suggests that someone is merely fulfilling their obligations or tasks out of habit or necessity, without any emotional or intellectual engagement. This phrase is often used when people feel detached, disinterested, or bored, and it’s a sign that they may be stuck in a rut or feeling unfulfilled. In Indonesian, this can be translated as melakukan sesuatu hanya sekedar rutinitas or melakukan dengan setengah hati. Synonyms include: going through the paces, phoning it in, or merely performing.
10 Sentences Using “Going Through the Motions”:
- I felt like I was just going through the motions at work, without any real passion.
- He was going through the motions during the meeting, not really paying attention to what was being said.
- She’s been going through the motions in her relationship lately, not feeling as connected as she used to.
- I’m tired of going through the motions at the gym; I need a new workout routine to get back on track.
- He admitted that he was going through the motions at his job and wasn’t really enjoying it anymore.
- Sometimes, it feels like we’re all just going through the motions in life, waiting for something to change.
- She stopped being excited about her studies and was just going through the motions to get through school.
- It’s hard to stay motivated when you feel like you’re just going through the motions.
- When you’re going through the motions, it’s easy to forget why you started in the first place.
- I’ve been going through the motions with my writing—no inspiration or creativity lately.
10 Related Words:
- Routine
- Monotony
- Repetition
- Boredom
- Stagnation
- Apathy
- Disinterest
- Uninspired
- Mechanical
- Lack of enthusiasm
10 Phrasal Verbs Related to “Going Through the Motions”:
- Go through the paces
- Phone it in
- Drift through
- Go on autopilot
- Carry on
- Push through
- Go through with it
- Walk through
- Keep at it
- Get by
10 Idiomatic Expressions Related to “Going Through the Motions”:
- Running on empty
- Just going along for the ride
- Doing it by the book
- Getting through the day
- Treading water
- Hitting autopilot
- Going through the grind
- Passing time
- Killing time
- Running in circles
