English idiom

go round in circles

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

To repeat the same discussion or actions without reaching a solution or making progress.

Word picture

Repeated movement traces the same circle and returns to the starting point.

Example

“We kept going round in circles because nobody would agree on the main goal.”

Dictionary details

Component words

go round

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

go to seed

to become neglected, untidy, or generally worse in condition

go to the dogs

to deteriorate severely from an earlier, better condition

go bananas

to become wildly excited, angry, or otherwise out of control

go with the flow

To adjust calmly to circumstances or prevailing behavior instead of resisting them.

from the word go

from the very beginning of an activity or process

go overboard

to do more than is reasonable, appropriate, or necessary

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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