circle around
Loop back repeatedly
Circle around means to move in a circular path, often while searching or waiting: The plane circled around before landing, Vultures circled around overhead.
It also means to return to a topic or task after dealing with other things: Let's circle around to that question later.
The "around" is often redundant but adds emphasis to the continuous or repetitive nature of the movement.
- orbitCurved celestial path
- revolveTurn around center
- loopCurve closing on itself
- surroundEnclose on every side
- hoverRemain suspended midair
holding pattern · spiral · swirl · rotate · spin · merry go round · vulture · shark · prowl · patrol · circumnavigate · roundabout · detour · bypass · skirt · ring · eddy · whirl
- Redundanciestautology, pleonasm, redundancy, redundant phrase, added bonus
circle, around, circles, circled, circling, circular, circularity, circularly, circulate