spin one's wheels
To make no progress despite making an effort; to get nowhere.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Without a clear goal, you're just spinning your wheels.”
“The team spent three months on the project before realizing they had been spinning their wheels the whole time.”
“For years he remained in the same dead-end position, spinning his wheels while his peers advanced steadily around him.”
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026