spin someone's wheels

present singular third person spins someone's wheels · participle present spinning someone's wheels · participle past spun someone's wheels · past spun someone's wheels

1. idiomaticTo excite someone; to stir someone's emotions.

   “Didn’t you say that Joe fulfills you? That he ‘spins your wheels’!”

   2004, J. W. James III, chapter 26, in Don't Tell...: ...grandma, United States of America, page 249

   3 more examples

   So let me repeat, I love rock and roll. Pretty much all of it. But it’s the vintage years, the old time rock and roll, that really spins my wheels. And since I’ve been such a constant listener, I’ve had lots of time to notice some things.

   2007, Deborah Godin, “Introduction”, in Papa Do Run: A Baby Boomer Looks (and Laughs) at Vintage Rock & Roll, 1st edition, United States, page 8

   What I actually am is a fill-in magazine article writer, but freelance always sounds so much nicer. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my job. Most of the time. However, what I really want I do, what spins my wheels, is writing real news, not just “Ten Things You Should Look for in a Guy” or “How to Make Your Boobs Look Bigger.”

   2012, Laura Del, chapter 1, in Graveyard Shifts, page 1

   When you know your employees well, when you know what motivates them, when you know what spins their wheels, then you have the ability to customize your approach to each employee.

   2013, Shawn Doyle, “Jolt #6: Reward Exceptional Performers” (chapter 6), in Jumpstart Your Leadership: 10 Jolts to Leverage Your Leadership, Sound Wisdom, page 97