Definition
To do something in a mechanical, unreflective manner, especially as a matter of routine and without commitment or enthusiasm; to perform a task perfunctorily.
In Context
- "Aleck was a Christian from the cradle, and duty and the force of habit required her to go through the motions."
- "They went through the motions of living, but they didn't live."
- "In screening an adviser, these should be your goals: —To determine whether he or she cares about helping clients or just goes through the motions […]"
- "The whole "weapons of mass destruction" concern was phony from the start, and the drama about inspections was just kabuki: going through the motions."
See Also
- autopilot