going through the motions
to go through the motions - to make a feeble effort to do something; to do something insincerely or in cursory fashion; to do something because you are expected to do it and not because you want to; to do something without believing it is important
Example:
Jane isn't doing her best. She's just going through the motions.
Bill was supposed to be raking the yard, but he was just going through the motions.
These days when we go out, cook a meal together, or even make love, I get the feeling that he's just going through the motions.
After his wife died, he went through the motions of living, without feeling much of anything.
Jane isn't doing her best. She's just going through the motions.
Bill was supposed to be raking the yard, but he was just going through the motions.
These days when we go out, cook a meal together, or even make love, I get the feeling that he's just going through the motions.
After his wife died, he went through the motions of living, without feeling much of anything.