go through the motions

1. Do something perfunctorily, or merely pretend to do it. For example, The team is so far behind that they're just going through the motions, or She didn't really grieve at his death; she just went through the motions. [c. 1800]

Example Sentences

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

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

From BBC

Said Curl: “We’re basically going against a starter every day in practice. ... It’s not like we’re going through the motions with the scout team.”

From Los Angeles Times

Pitchfork's Olivia Horn said Swift was "largely retreading old territory", an accusation echoed by Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul, who said the star was "going through the motions while running in place".

From BBC

For an orchestra that sometimes only goes through the motions, this program was animated by an expressive meticulousness.

From New York Times