set in motion

Idioms and Phrases

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

And Biden and his aides have publicly pledged to set in motion as much help for Ukraine as possible before Trump takes over.

From Los Angeles Times

Already set in motion are cascading toxic effects on social discourse and political dynamics, marked by widening acceptance and promotion of overt bigotries and brandished hatreds.

From Salon

Trump’s victory is a reverberation of trends set in motion in 2020.

From Salon

The one-term president made it clear he was unhappy with the results but hoped the country would continue the upward trajectory his administration set in motion.

From Salon

For the second series, Jenny is going deeper into the unintended consequences - the aftershocks - set in motion when people link up to the enormous global DNA database.

From BBC

Related Words

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