in circles
1
with no success achieved or no progress made
The origin of the idiom "in circles" has likely emerged from the idea of someone walking or running in circles, without making any forward progress. Today, the idiom is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is stuck in a repetitive cycle of action or thought, without achieving any significant results or progress.
- If we don't establish clear goals and guidelines, we will end up going in circles during the planning process.
- The committee is going in circles trying to decide on a course of action, as no one can agree on the best approach.
- The company wasted weeks going in circles trying to fix a minor issue with the product, which delayed its release and cost them money.
- The team has been running in circles trying to meet the project deadline, as they keep encountering unexpected obstacles.