spin one’s wheels

spin (one's) wheels

To waste one's time or energy idly or frivolously; to neither progress nor regress, but remain in a fixed, neutral position. They kept me on to manage what's left of this division, but to be honest, I've just been spinning my wheels here for the last couple of years. We haven't been able to do anything new until more funding comes in, so the project is just spinning its wheels for the moment.See also: spin, wheel

spin one’s wheels

tv. to waste time; to remain in a neutral position, neither advancing nor falling back. I’m just spinning my wheels in this job. I need more training to get ahead. See also: spin, wheel