go through the motions

基本解释

But I also remember frustration, boredom and going through the motions.
但我也记得所经历的挫折、倦怠和机械地重复。
fhjdzq.spaces.live.com
Henry felt that he should touch her shoulder or offer some other sort of reassurance, but he knew she would understand that he was just going through the motions.
亨利觉得他应该碰碰她的肩头，或者用什么方式传递某种保证，但他知道妻子心里明白这些安抚的动作不过是动作罢了。
Hiroko (Makiko Watanabe) is detached from both her co-workers and family members, going through the motions so that she can return home to spend time with her inflatable torso.
宽子（渡边真起子饰）和她的同事和家人们都关系疏远，她每天敷衍度日，为的就是可以回家与自己的充气性躯干在一起。

Today's summit is not lip service. We are not going through the motions, and pay tribute to one another, then furl up the flags then go our separate ways."
"Today's summit is not lip service. We are not going to go through the motions and pay tribute to one another and then furl up the flags and go our separate ways.

In his nineteenth-floor office on this cold, blustery Monday, Bernie Madoff starts going through the motions.
FORBES: Madoff Movie Moves Forward: HBO Hires Screenwriter, Woos DeNiro To Star
In Congress, sanctions legislation also creaks along, but that too is simply going through the motions.
CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Get ready for a nuclear Iran

to do something without thinking it is very important or having much interest in it