set in motion

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.

Example Sentences

It's a timeless story - one that's destined to be repeated at fresher's weeks across the country this autumn - and set in motion a career-long narrative about Swift's romantic tribulations.

From BBC

And so I’m proud to set in motion our first community market.

From Los Angeles Times

Season 3 sees George set in motion designs to build a railroad line connecting the East and West coasts.

From Salon

With Germany defeated, he felt a personal responsibility for reversing the course he had helped set in motion.

From Salon

But last month, the federal government sent in the troops without local politicians’ support, setting in motion an intense legal showdown.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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