PhrasesHub

come full circle

    Definitions

      • to return to a previous state, often after a long journey or period of time
        Reflect on the past and how things have come back to where they started, often with a sense of closure or resolution

      • to complete a cycle or process
        Refer to the completion of a journey or task, often with a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment

    Examples of come full circle

    • After years of struggling to find my place in the world, I've come full circle and am now working in the same industry as my parents.

      The idiom "come full circle" means to return to a starting point or complete a journey. In this example, the speaker has gone through a long journey of finding their career path, and now they have ended up in the same industry as their parents, completing the circle.

    • The political climate in our country has come full circle, with the same party back in power after years of opposition.

      In this example, the speaker is using the idiom to describe how the political situation in their country has gone through a full cycle, with the same party in power again after a period of time when a different party was in control.

    • After a long and winding road, the project finally came full circle and was completed on time and within budget.

      Here, the speaker is using the idiom to describe how a project that was initially complex and difficult has been successfully completed, returning to its starting point.

    • The negotiations between the two companies came full circle when they finally agreed on a deal that was mutually beneficial.

      In this example, the speaker is using the idiom to describe how the negotiations between the two companies have gone through a full cycle, with both parties ultimately reaching a positive outcome.

    • After a tumultuous relationship, they finally came full circle and decided to give their love another chance.

      Here, the speaker is using the idiom to describe how a relationship that had been difficult and complicated has come full circle, with the couple deciding to try again.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "come full circle" is used to describe a return to a previous state or the completion of a cycle or process. It can be used in a reflective manner to acknowledge how things have come back to where they started, or with a sense of accomplishment in completing a journey or task.

    In a literal sense, the idiom can refer to completing a physical journey, such as returning to a starting point after traveling a full circle. However, it is more commonly used in a figurative sense to describe a journey or process that has reached its conclusion. This could be a personal journey, such as overcoming a challenge or reaching a goal, or a broader societal or historical process.

    Origin of "come full circle"

    The origin of the idiom "come full circle" can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where the circle was seen as a symbol of completeness and perfection. In Greek mythology, the god Zeus was believed to have created the world as a perfect circle, representing the cyclical nature of life.

    The idiom also has roots in the concept of karma in Hinduism and Buddhism, which suggests that actions and events will eventually come full circle and have consequences. This idea is reflected in the saying "what goes around comes around," which has a similar meaning to "come full circle."

    Over time, the idiom became more commonly used in everyday language, often in a metaphorical sense. It has been used in literature, music, and other forms of art to convey the idea of a journey or process coming to an end and returning to its starting point. Today, it is a widely recognized idiom that is used to describe various situations in which there is a sense of completion or resolution.