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Region: General | Usage example: The board's approval set the wheels in motion for the merger.

Set the wheels in motion

Meaning

Start a sequence of events.

Usage

Used when initiating plans.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Industrial imagery of machines moving once started.

Used in engineering and logistics writing in the 20th century.

Related Idioms

Wheels within wheels

A complex and secretive situation.

Grease the wheels

Make a process run more smoothly.

Spinning your wheels

Making effort without progress.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.