answer roll call; make token appearance
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to answer one's name during roll call at the Mao hour (5-7 AM) in former government offices
archaicRefers to the historical practice in imperial Chinese government offices where officials had to answer their names at the morning roll call during the Mao hour (5:00-7:00 AM).
In the old days, yamen runners had to go to the yamen every morning to answer the roll call.
Officials dared not be late, fearing they would miss the roll call.
verb
to show up just to go through the motions; to make a token appearance
informalModern figurative usage implying that someone appears at a place only to register their presence without serious engagement, often carrying a negative connotation of insincerity.
He showed up for work just to put in an appearance and then left.
He only came to the meeting to make a token appearance and didn't listen at all.
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Don't just go through the motions; you need to work seriously.