circling the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "circling the question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone is avoiding a direct answer or addressing a topic indirectly. Example: "During the meeting, he kept circling the question instead of providing a clear response to our concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And so — slowly, cautiously — Will and I began circling the question of what it all meant.

The New York Times

And we wouldn't have done that if we didn't think it was what was appropriate," he repeats, circling the question as one might attack the track above the office in which we meet.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If they have one of the wrong ones circled, the question is wrong.

The New York Times

It intimately circles the question all memoirs of grief must pose, one that she puts this way: "Who am I now?" Ms. Deraniyagala's great realization, a full seven years after the tsunami, is not that her grief has diminished.

The New York Times - Books

A journalist circles the question.

Los Angeles Times

We talked for what felt like forever, circling the same question: what are we?

The New York Times

She keeps circling around the question of what it is she has seen, sometimes seeming to be playing tricks on herself, as a child would: looking at it sideways, or through her fingers, or looking away and then turning back again suddenly, to check if it's still there.

The New York Times - Books

You also won't hear the questions circling the minds of the teens as they walk through the hallways "Am I ready to have sex?", "Why is everyone else having sex, except me?", "Am I sexy?" If your child has access to the internet, they have access to a plethora of sexual images and nudity... all day, every day.

Huffington Post

And so, in a way, affairs and fiction often circle the same question: how we might frame something that is entirely quotidian as a delirious, enveloping, existential thrill.

The New Yorker

In a sense, it underscores the very issue Rock is grappling to explain to his daughter, for the main question circling the first lady's hair is not whether she should go natural but how in the world she manages to get that look.

Los Angeles Times

The patients (and their companions) are invited to select and circle the salient questions, if any, from the 50 questions included in the QPS.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "circling the question" to describe a situation where someone is repeatedly approaching a topic without directly addressing it. This can imply either caution or deliberate avoidance.

Common error

Avoid using "circling the question" when you mean directly asking or investigating a question. The phrase specifically implies indirectness or avoidance of a direct answer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "circling the question" functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of indirectly addressing or avoiding a specific question. Ludwig AI suggests it implies a cautious or evasive approach to a topic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Books

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "circling the question" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of indirectly addressing a topic or avoiding a direct answer. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is more common in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While semantically related phrases like ""avoiding the question"" or ""dodging the question"" exist, "circling the question" specifically implies a more cautious or exploratory approach rather than outright evasion. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately conveys indirectness rather than direct inquiry. It means that one is hinting at or approaching the main point without explicitly stating it and this can be due to discomfort, strategic maneuvering, or uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoiding the question

Directly implies evasion, lacking the sense of cautious exploration.

dodging the question

More active and intentional evasion, suggesting skill in avoiding the topic.

evading the issue

Focuses on the issue itself, rather than the specific question.

dancing around the topic

Emphasizes movement and indirectness, often suggesting a deliberate attempt to entertain or stall.

beating around the bush

A common idiom that suggests talking about related but unimportant matters to avoid the main point.

circumventing the question

Implies finding a way around the question without answering it directly.

skirting the issue

Suggests lightly touching on the issue without fully engaging with it.

addressing tangentially

Implies only a slight connection to the main subject.

speaking indirectly about

Focuses on the manner of speech, highlighting the lack of directness.

being evasive

Highlights the act of avoiding commitment to a direct answer.

FAQs

How can I use "circling the question" in a sentence?

You can use "circling the question" to describe someone avoiding a direct response, as in "The politician kept "circling the question" during the interview, refusing to give a straight answer."

What's a similar phrase to "circling the question"?

Alternatives include "avoiding the question", "dodging the question", or "beating around the bush", each with slightly different connotations.

Is "circling the question" appropriate for formal writing?

While acceptable, "circling the question" might be considered less formal than alternatives like "evading the issue" in certain academic or professional contexts.

What does it mean when someone is "circling the question"?

It means they are addressing the topic indirectly, often hinting at or approaching the main point without explicitly stating it. This might be due to discomfort, strategic maneuvering, or uncertainty.