theatrical walk-on; go through motions
Meanings
2 senses · 10 examplesnoun
a walk-on; crossing the stage without stopping (theatrical term)
Traditional theatrical jargon describing an actor who enters and immediately exits without performing.
He just did a walk-on in the play without a single line.
Extras often need to walk across the stage, entering from the left and exiting to the right.
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This character never appears again after doing a walk-on in the first act.
He hurried across the stage as if he had some urgent business.
This isn't an important role; it's just a walk-on.
verb
to go through the motions; to do something perfunctorily
Metaphorical usage implying insincerity or lack of real effort. Often carries a negative connotation.
When the leaders came to inspect, they just went through the motions without seriously preparing.
Safety training can't be perfunctory; everyone must truly master the knowledge.
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This meeting is purely going through the motions, without any substantive content.
Investigations can't be done perfunctorily; one must go deep to the grassroots to understand the real situation.
He just looked things over perfunctorily, said nothing, and left.