set in motion

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

set in motion
    v 1: get going; give impetus to; "launch a career"; "Her actions
         set in motion a complicated judicial process" [syn:
         {launch}, {set in motion}]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

47 Moby Thesaurus words for "set in motion":
      actuate, animate, bundle, bundle off, compel, drive, drive on,
      energize, float, force, forward, foster, galvanize, give a start,
      give an impetus, give momentum, goad, impel, incite, kick off,
      launch, mobilize, motivate, move, move to action, nudge, power,
      promote, propel, push, put in motion, send, send forth, send off,
      set afloat, set agoing, set going, set on foot, shove, spark,
      start, start going, start off, start up, stimulate, thrust,
      whip on