tomgang

Compound of tom (“empty”) +‎ gang (“going, walk”)

tomgang c (singular definite tomgangen, not used in plural form)

1. idling (of a motor); the act of keeping an engine running without actually moving
2. (figuratively) being active without achieving anything
   • 2007, Jorgen Schionning, Slangetæmmeren, ISD LLC, →ISBN:

     Jeg er endt i en meditativ tilstand, hvor min hjerne går i tomgang og renses, og min krop ikke føles.

     I have ended up in a meditative state, where my brain runs emptily and is cleansed, and my body is not felt.

   • 2005, Manual til skrivekunsten, Gyldendal A/S, →ISBN:

     Herefter går samtalen i tomgang, indtil han endelig tager fat om nælden.

     After this, the conversation idles, until he finally grabs the nettle.

• “tomgang” in Den Danske Ordbog