Wiktionary
vb. (context idiomatic English) to initiate a chain of events necessary to help one achieve a goal (more quickly)
Usage examples of "set the wheels in motion".
I could set the wheels in motion in all five continents simultaneously.
Several years ago, Richardson had set the wheels in motion to have the base decommissioned.
Swift agreed the cable should be investigated and set the wheels in motion to do this.
He'd plotted his strategy, made his plan, set the wheels in motion.
Now I wanted to set the wheels in motion, start what I had come here for.
They're the ones as set the wheels in motion, and I suspicion they thought they was doing the right thing, putting my name to it, giving credit where it's due, whether or not it was ever asked for.
It would've been hard enough to set the wheels in motion and sim ply follow through.