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spinning my wheels

Working hard but not getting anywhere

Etymology:

  • With the appearance of automobiles in the 20th century, the phrase came to refer to the similarity to trying to get a car trying to get un-stuck from something like mud, but all that's happening is that its wheels are spinning.
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I've been working on this all day, but it seems I'm just spinning my wheels

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Submitted by jim_3 on December 12, 2023

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to spinning my wheels

on wheelshell on wheelsthe wheels came off the wagonsqueaky wheels get oiledset the wheels in motionthe wheels came off the busset of wheelson wheelsmeals on wheelsspin one's wheelswheels upspin one's wheelson wheelstill the wheels fall off

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    "spinning my wheels." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/spinning-my-wheels_64064>.

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