go round in circles Definition

circle
noun

1. A perfectly round two-dimensional figure that is bordered by the circumference, every point of which is an equal distance from a fixed point within the figure called the centre.
2. Anything in the form of a circle.

Thesaurus: ring, wheel, disk, halo, band, loop, coil; orb, globe, sphere.
3. A circular route, eg the orbit of a planet, etc.
4. In a theatre, auditorium etc: a gallery of seats above the main stalls.

Example: the dress circle
5. A series or chain of events, steps or developments, ending at the point where it began. See also vicious circle.

Thesaurus: series, cycle, succession, course, round, continuation, revolution, epicycle.
6. A group of people associated in some way.

Example: his circle of acquaintances
Thesaurus: coterie, set, clique, group, party.

verb circled, circling

tr & intr
1a. To move in a circle;
tr & intr
1b. To move in a circle round something.

Thesaurus: circumnavigate, tour, compass; orbit, revolve.
2. To draw a circle round something.

Thesaurus: encircle, circumscribe, ring, gird, enclose, surround, hem in, belt, envelop, loop.

Derivative: circler
noun

Idiom: come full circle

To arrive back at the starting-point of a chain of events.
Thesaurus: go through a cycle, go through a series, come around, come back, revert.

Idiom: go round in circles

To be trapped in an endless and frustrating cycle of repetitive discussion or activity.

Idiom: run round in circles

To rush around frantically, making little progress.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon circul, from Latin circulus.