The mayor set the project in motion by digging the first shovelful of soil.
•I cannot set the procedure in motion until I receive a purchase order.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
set something in motion — phrase to make a series of events or a process start happening We want to set in motion talks involving all sides in the conflict. Thesaurus: to make something start to exist or happensynonym Main entry: motion * * * start something moving or… … Useful english dictionary
set something in motion — set (something) in motion to start a process. The recommendation could set in motion the largest cleanup in US history. Usage notes: also used in the form put something in motion: Louisiana already has an emergency response plan, which Foster put … New idioms dictionary
set (something) in motion — put/set (something) in motion if you set something in motion, you start it happening. The government have set in motion plans to reform the justice system … New idioms dictionary
set something in motion — to make a series of events or a process start happening We want to set in motion talks involving all sides in the conflict … English dictionary
put (something) in motion — put/set (something) in motion if you set something in motion, you start it happening. The government have set in motion plans to reform the justice system … New idioms dictionary
set something off — 1 the bomb was set off: DETONATE, explode, blow up, touch off, trigger; ignite. 2 it set off a wave of protest: GIVE RISE TO, cause, lead to, set … Useful english dictionary
set something on foot — archaic set an action or process in motion a plan had lately been set on foot for their relief. Compare with afoot … Useful english dictionary
set something on foot — archaic set an action or process in motion. → foot … English new terms dictionary
put something in motion — set/put sth in ˈmotion idiom to start sth moving • They set the machinery in motion. • (figurative) The wheels of change have been set in motion. Main entry: ↑motionidiom … Useful english dictionary
set in motion — set (something) in motion to start a process. The recommendation could set in motion the largest cleanup in US history. Usage notes: also used in the form put something in motion: Louisiana already has an emergency response plan, which Foster put … New idioms dictionary
set — set1 [ set ] (past tense and past participle set) verb *** ▸ 1 put someone/something somewhere ▸ 2 make something happen ▸ 3 make equipment ready ▸ 4 decide time/place/value ▸ 5 establish way to do something ▸ 6 do something that influences ▸ 7… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
