wheels are turning
Progress is currently being made with respect to an ongoing process or other matter.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The project is moving because the wheels are turning now.”
“After weeks of waiting for the paperwork, the wheels are finally turning on our new house purchase.”
“Although the negotiations were stalled for months, the wheels are turning once again, suggesting that a final agreement may soon be within reach.”
- 01
big wheel
A person with a great deal of power or influence, especially a high-ranking person in an organization.
- 02
break the wheel
To end a pattern of oppression, inequality, injustice, or abuse.
- 03
fifth wheel
Anything superfluous or unnecessary.
- 04
grease the wheels
To create conditions likely to produce or hasten favorable future developments.
- 05
hamster wheel
To cycle fruitlessly.
- 06
hell on wheels
A situation that is tough, aggressive, lawless, and wild.
- 07
reinvent the wheel
To do work unnecessarily when it has already been done satisfactorily by others; to attempt to devise a solution to a problem when a solution already exists.
- 08
set of wheels
A car.
Last updated August 10, 2026