circle back to the start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "circle back to the start" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a business or conversational context to indicate returning to a previous point or topic for further discussion or clarification. Example: "After discussing the new project ideas, let's circle back to the start and review our initial goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

By the time we circle back to the start, we've seen who they are as a family and understand what's lost.

The New York Times - Books

Circle back to the start and drop into The Duck: Okay, why would I suggest the Pope stop into a "dive bar" on the corner of East 112 Street?

Huffington Post

In the waggle dance, a worker bee vibrates her abdomen from side to side as she advances linearly in one direction (the waggle run), then turns either to the left or right to circle back to the start (the return phase), at which point she usually repeats the waggle run with the return to the opposite side.

Biology Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Drop down to a low path that circles back to the start.

The Guardian - Travel

Starting at Aberdeen airport (car hire available), the circular 250-mile route snakes its way up the north-east coast before heading inland and circling back to the start, taking in Highlands, castles, whisky distilleries and empty coastlines.

The Guardian - Travel

Thus president elect Obama circled back to the start of his campaign twenty-two months before, and referenced both a brilliant song and the long march that has been the slow and full ripening of the civil rights movement in our nation's history, from 1776 to endless tomorrows.

Huffington Post

At the end, we circle back to the beginning.

TechCrunch

It starts with the end and circles back to the beginning, with a big flashback".

Wikipedia

When smoke started to fill the cockpit, they had to circle back to the airport and land their fuel-heavy plane on a short runway.

The Economist

Finally, circle back to the main article.

The New York Times

Nowadays, though, conversations tend to circle back to the past.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "circle back to the start" when you want to emphasize a return to the fundamental aspects or initial phase of a process or discussion. This is particularly useful in project management or iterative processes where revisiting the initial goals or assumptions is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "circle back to the start" when the context implies a linear progression or continuation. It is more appropriate when there is a deliberate return to the original state or topic, rather than simply moving forward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "circle back to the start" functions as an idiomatic expression. It is used to indicate a return to a previous point in a discussion or process. According to Ludwig, this phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "circle back to the start" is a correct and usable idiomatic expression that means to return to the initial point or beginning of a discussion, process, or plan. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common use. It’s most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. To avoid misuse, remember that this phrase should be employed when there is a specific intention to revisit the initial state or topic, rather than simply moving forward linearly. Alternatives like "return to the beginning", "go back to square one", or "revisit the original plan" can be considered based on the nuances of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to the starting point

A more literal and straightforward alternative.

loop back to the beginning

Similar to the original phrase, but uses 'loop' to convey the circular movement.

come full circle

Implies a return to the initial point after a period of development or change.

return to the origin

Emphasizes a physical or metaphorical return to the initial place or state.

revisit the original plan

Focuses on reviewing and returning to an initial strategy or proposal.

revert to the initial stage

Highlights the act of going back to an early phase or condition.

go back to the source

Highlights returning to the origin of information or a problem.

go back to square one

Indicates starting over completely, often after a failure.

go back to the drawing board

Suggests starting a project or plan from the very beginning.

retrace one's steps

Suggests going back through a series of actions or events.

FAQs

How can I use "circle back to the start" in a sentence?

You can use "circle back to the start" to indicate a return to a previous topic or initial stage. For example: "After exploring various solutions, let's "circle back to the start" and review our initial objectives."

What does "circle back to the start" mean?

"Circle back to the start" means to return to the original point or beginning of a process, discussion, or plan. It implies a deliberate act of revisiting the initial stages.

What are some alternatives to "circle back to the start"?

Some alternatives to "circle back to the start" include "return to the beginning", "go back to square one", or "revisit the original plan" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "circle back to the start"?

It's appropriate to use "circle back to the start" when you want to emphasize the importance of revisiting the original goals, assumptions, or initial phase of a project or discussion, particularly after exploring alternatives or encountering challenges.