Go round in circles

Meaning

The idiom "go round in circles" means to repeatedly do something without making any progress or achieving a desired result. It can also mean going around in a circular motion, literally or figuratively.

Usage

• The team has been struggling to come up with a solution and they've been going round in circles for weeks now.
• I tried to explain the concept to my colleague, but he just kept going round in circles until I had to take over.
• After hours of discussing the project, we realized that we were just going round in circles and decided to call it a night.
• The car was stuck in traffic and we were going round in circles for what felt like forever.
• The argument between my siblings has been ongoing for years and they keep going round in circles without ever finding a resolution.

Roots and History

The idiom "go round in circles" is believed to have originated from the act of riding a bicycle or driving a car in a circular motion. It has been used since at least the 19th century and its usage has remained relatively stable over time.

Synonyms in English

• Get nowhere
• Stay in one place
• Keep spinning your wheels
• Repeat yourself without achieving anything
• Waste time

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Girer en rond" (to spin around)
• Spanish: "Rondar en círculos" (to circle)
• Italian: "Correre in giro" (to run in a circle)
• German: "In Kreisen laufen" (to run in circles)
• Dutch: "In een cirkel lopen" (to run in a circle)

Similar Idioms

• you’re on

• crystal clear

• rest assured