keep the wheels turning —(also: keep the ball rolling) keep an activity, process, etc. going:
- His class interest tells him to supply the public with as much purchasing power as possible, to keep the wheels turning.
spin the wheels—(U.S. coll.) act in a listless or unproductive manner:
- You will have to spend at least two hours studying on your own, and it has to be time well spent, rather than “spinning the wheels.”
See also: put one’s shoulder to the wheel / set the wheels in motion.