wheel spinning
Wheel spinning refers to a situation where a vehicle's wheels rotate without gaining traction on the ground. This often occurs in slippery conditions, such as mud, snow, or ice, where the tires cannot grip the surface effectively. As a result, the vehicle may remain stationary while the wheels continue to spin, creating a cloud of dust or snow.
In a broader context, wheel spinning can also describe a lack of progress in various activities or tasks. For example, someone might feel they are "spinning their wheels" in a project, meaning they are putting in effort but not achieving meaningful results.