running around in circles

USAGE SUMMARY

'running around in circles' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe someone or something that is not making any real progress or getting anywhere. For example, "I've been running around in circles trying to figure out how to fix my computer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

One man attempts to describe an illusion by running around in circles making frightened goose noises.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Even my seven-year-old child is running around in circles just to get his".

The Guardian - Tech

" 'What's the point of spending my life running around in circles?' I asked myself.

The New York Times - Sports

The police were still running around in circles at the scene of the robbery.

The New Yorker

But at times we get scored on because we're running around in circles.

The New York Times - Sports

After the fogging, rabbits would appear, running around in circles, jerking spasmodically, then falling over.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

We can't run around in circles any more".

Independent

"My son picked him up and ran around in circles.

The New York Times

The days of watching trains just run around in circles are over.

The New York Times - Tech

It is so much better that children run around in circles with no thought of winning.

The Guardian - Sport

Its policymakers run around in circles, swapping partners and scandalising onlookers, but with luck pull it together at the end.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "running around in circles" to vividly describe situations where effort is being expended without achieving tangible results. It's especially effective when emphasizing frustration or futility.

Common error

Avoid using "running around in circles" when you literally mean physical circular movement. The phrase is an idiom, and its strength lies in its figurative sense of unproductive activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running around in circles" functions as an idiomatic expression. It serves as a figurative way to describe a situation where effort is expended without achieving any meaningful progress or result. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "running around in circles" is a common and widely understood expression used to describe situations where effort is expended without achieving any tangible progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It's a versatile phrase found frequently in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts like sports commentary and general conversation. While alternatives like "going nowhere" or "spinning wheels" exist, "running around in circles" offers a vivid and relatable way to depict frustration and futility. Remember to use it figuratively to describe unproductive activity, rather than literal circular movement, to maintain its idiomatic strength.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going round in circles

A variation using 'round' instead of 'around'.

going nowhere

Implies lack of progress; more concise and direct.

spinning wheels

Suggests expending effort without advancing.

accomplishing nothing

Directly states the lack of achievement or results.

chasing your tail

Indicates a futile, self-perpetuating activity.

getting nowhere fast

Emphasizes speed and lack of advancement.

treading water

Highlights stagnation and lack of forward movement.

stuck in a loop

Implies repetitive actions without resolution.

in a frenzy of activity

Describes a state of agitated and ineffective busyness.

fruitless endeavor

Highlights the lack of positive outcome from effort.

FAQs

What does "running around in circles" mean?

The phrase "running around in circles" means to be very busy but without achieving anything useful or making any progress. It suggests wasted effort and a lack of direction.

How can I use "running around in circles" in a sentence?

You can use "running around in circles" to describe situations like, "The team has been "running around in circles" trying to fix the bug, but they haven't found the solution yet."

What can I say instead of "running around in circles"?

You can use alternatives like "going nowhere", "spinning wheels", or "chasing your tail" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "running around in circles"?

It's appropriate to use "running around in circles" when you want to convey that someone or something is engaged in a lot of activity that isn't leading to a positive outcome or solution.