go round in circles —(also: run around in circles) work busily at a task without making any progress:
- We’ll never reach an agreement: we’re just going round in circles.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase go full circle—(of a situation) return to what it was before (also: come full circle):
- Now we have gone full circle. Critics groan: “Bring back incompetent punk-rock bands, and away with these boring old practicing musicians!”
go round the houses—do smth. in an inefficient way when there is a quicker, more convenient way:
- My method goes round the houses a bit, but it works. I’d love to hear from anyone who has an easier one.