PhrasesHub

Run around in circles

    Definitions

      • waste time and energy
        Engage in pointless or unproductive activity, often resulting in frustration and fatigue

      • confusion and lack of progress
        Describe a situation where one is unable to make any headway or reach a resolution due to disorganization or chaos

    Examples of Run around in circles

    • Tom has been run around in circles trying to find a solution to this problem for hours.

      Tom has been frantically searching for a solution to this problem, but has not made any progress. He seems to be going around and around in circles, getting nowhere.

    • The company's marketing campaign seems to be running around in circles.

      The marketing campaign is not achieving its intended results. The company's efforts seem to be repetitive and unproductive, as if they are going round in circles.

    • I'm getting nowhere with this report, I feel like I'm running around in circles.

      The author is struggling to make progress with their report. They feel like they are wasting time and energy by repetitively revisiting the same areas without making any tangible progress.

    • In his defense, he's just trying to cope with the situation, he's not running around in circles.

      Despite appearances, the person being defended is not aimlessly circling and repeating the same actions. Instead, they are dealing with the situation as best they can in the face of some uncertainty or difficulty.

    • John has been running around in circles trying to find a solution to this problem for hours.

      This idiom is used when someone is wasting their time and effort by constantly repeating the same actions without making any progress towards a solution. In this example, John has been searching aimlessly for a solution instead of focusing on finding a more effective approach.

    • Throughout the meeting, the discussion kept running around in circles, and nobody was able to come to a clear decision.

      This example shows how a conversation can become fruitless and unproductive when people keep repeating the same points without addressing the issue at hand. This idiom is a metaphor for the way a circular motion leads nowhere, and it's often used to describe situations that seem to be going in circles without any clear direction or resolution.

    • Emma has been run around in circles by her landlord, who keeps changing the rent and moving the goalposts.

      This idiom is used when someone is being mistreated or taken advantage of by another person. In this example, Emma is being made to feel powerless and confused by her landlord, who is making unreasonable demands and changing the rules at every turn. This metaphor suggests that Emma is being led in circles, and she's unable to navigate her way through the situation.

    • After the failed experiment, the scientists were left running around in circles, trying to figure out what went wrong.

      This example shows how a setback or failure can lead people to become confused and uncertain about how to proceed. In this case, the scientists are trying to make sense of the results of their experiment, but they're struggling to find a solution. This idiom captures the feeling of being disoriented and unable to move forward.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "run around in circles" is used to convey two main meanings. The first is to discourage someone from engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit. The second meaning describes a situation where one is unable to make any headway or reach a resolution due to disorganization or chaos. Both meanings emphasize the futility and frustration of the actions or circumstances being described.

    When someone is said to be "running around in circles," it implies that they are expending time and energy without achieving any meaningful progress. It also conveys a sense of confusion and lack of direction, highlighting the inability to make any real headway or reach a resolution.

    Overall, the idiom serves as a cautionary warning against engaging in unproductive activities, as well as a description of a frustrating and unproductive situation.

    Origin of "Run around in circles"

    The origin of the idiom "run around in circles" can be traced back to the visual image of someone literally running in circles. This action conveys a sense of aimlessness and lack of progress, as the person is expending energy but not moving forward in any meaningful way. The idiom likely originated from observations of such behavior and was later used metaphorically to describe unproductive or confusing situations.

    In both meanings of the idiom, the emphasis is on the repetitive and futile nature of the action, as well as the resulting lack of progress or resolution. The imagery of someone running around in circles effectively captures the sense of wasted time and energy, as well as the frustration and confusion that often accompany such behavior. Overall, the idiom "run around in circles" effectively conveys the idea of unproductive activity and lack of progress.