idiom

keep the wheels turning

KEEP the WEELZ TUR-ning

kiːp ðə wiːlz ˈtɜːrnɪŋ

Listen

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Syllable breakdown

keepthewheelsturning

Dictionary meaning

to maintain continuous operation of a process, business, or system without interruption; often used in manufacturing and logistics contexts to stress the importance of unbroken production flow

History and origin

English — from the literal image of factory or mill machinery that must keep rotating; attested in industrial-era English

Examples

Even during the labor dispute, management worked hard to keep the wheels turning.
In just-in-time manufacturing, keeping the wheels turning means zero tolerance for supply delays.

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