run in circles
Go nowhere fast
To run in circles is to expend effort without making progress—activity that loops back on itself rather than advancing toward a goal.
The image is of someone literally running a circular path, ending where they started.
We've been running in circles on this project for months.
Without clear direction, the committee just ran in circles.
The phrase often implies frustration with wasted time or poorly organized effort.
- whirlRotate very quickly
- pursueFollow to catch
- treading waterStaying afloat vertically
- round and roundRepeatedly in circles
- dizzySensation of spinning
loop · spinning wheels · spinning your wheels · spin · procrastinating · dog chasing tail · ruminating · race · overthinking · dithering · vacillating · hamster wheel · going nowhere · back to square one · chase · orbit · turn · chasing one's tail
run in circlesmake progress
Move toward completion
move forward · advance · forge ahead · make headway · gain ground
run in circlesaccomplish
Complete successfully
achieve · produce · bear fruit · deliver · make it count
runs, running, runner, runners, runny, circle, circles, circled, circling