THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Go round in circles
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To repeat discussion or activity without making useful progress.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- We are going round in circles because nobody has checked the original instructions.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?
To repeat discussion or activity without making useful progress.
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Go round in circles — To repeat discussion or activity without making useful progress.
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Write one sentence using “Go round in circles” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
To repeat discussion or activity without making useful progress.
Compare: We are going round in circles because nobody has checked the original instructions.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it conversationally when repeated attempts or arguments keep returning to the same point without a solution.
More examples in context
- The discussion went round in circles for an hour without a decision.
- I kept going round in circles with the form until a colleague explained the missing step.
Usage note
“Go around in circles” is a useful variation. In this idiom, the movement is figurative; the problem is lack of progress.
A short conversation
A: We have made the same three suggestions twice now.
B: We are going round in circles. Let us list the requirements first.
A: That should help us choose.
One more practice question
Which meeting goes round in circles?
A. A meeting that resolves each issue and agrees on clear next steps.
B. A meeting that repeats the same arguments without reaching a decision.
Check your answer
B. Repetition replaces useful progress.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.