full circle

USAGE SUMMARY

"full circle" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe completing a cycle or process, or return to a starting point. For example, you might say, "We have come full circle and are back to the beginning of the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MONTCLAIR "Full Circle," exhibition.

The New York Times

It came full circle".

The New York Times - Food

American title: FULL CIRCLE.

The Economist

"Talk about full circle".

The New York Times - Sports

We've turned full circle".

The New York Times

I'd gone full circle.

Independent

I have come full circle".

The New York Times - Arts

It's all coming full circle".

Independent

It's brought me full circle".

The New York Times

But it comes full circle.

Independent

The wheel comes full circle.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "full circle" when describing a situation or process that has completed a cycle and is now back at its initial stage.

Common error

Avoid using "full circle" when you simply mean 'complete' or 'finished'. The phrase specifically implies a return to a previous state or condition, not just an ending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full circle" functions as an adverbial phrase or noun phrase depending on the context. It modifies a verb to indicate the completion of a cycle or describes a situation returning to its origin. Ludwig AI provides several examples that illustrate this, such as "Things have come full circle".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "full circle" is a very common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the completion of a cycle, a return to origins, or a situation mirroring its beginning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across diverse contexts, from news and media to science and formal business settings. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "full circle", ensure you are accurately conveying the sense of returning to a prior state, rather than simply indicating completion. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and broad acceptance in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come full circle

Adds the verb 'come' to emphasize the action of returning to the starting point.

return to the beginning

Directly states the action of going back to the initial state.

revert to the original state

Emphasizes a return to a previous condition or form.

complete the cycle

Highlights the cyclical nature of the process.

end where you began

Focuses on the final destination being the same as the starting point.

retrace one's steps

Implies going back along the same path to the origin.

get back to square one

Informal way of saying returning to the initial stage.

go around again

Simplifies the idea of repeating a process from the start.

the wheel turns

Metaphorical way to indicate a return to a previous situation or event.

close the loop

Focuses on completing a process or cycle by bringing it back to its origin.

FAQs

How can I use "full circle" in a sentence?

You can use "full circle" to describe a situation that has returned to its starting point. For example, "After years of working abroad, he came "full circle" and returned to his hometown".

What does it mean when something has come "full circle"?

When something has come "full circle", it means that it has gone through a series of changes or experiences and has returned to its original state or a situation very similar to where it began.

Are there alternative phrases I can use instead of "full circle"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use phrases like "come full circle", "return to the beginning", or "close the loop" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "the story went full circle"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "the story went "full circle"" means that the narrative or plot returned to its initial state or theme by the end.