“Go through the motions”in other languages

Same idea, different pictures

Russian works with its sleeves hanging down, работать спустя рукава: the long sleeves of old Russian coats had to be rolled up for real work. Icelandic throws a job together with its hands, að kasta til höndunum.

Dutch has two: doing it with the French stroke, met de Franse slag, and finishing it with a jantje-van-leiden, a figure whose origin is still argued over. Malay coughs on the stairs and leaves, melepaskan batuk di tangga. English goes through the motions: the movements are there, the effort isn't.