ENGLISH
REFERENCE

full circle

idiom
Meaning

Through a cycle of transition, returning to where one started after gaining experience or exploring other things.


Examples
SIMPLE

After years of traveling, he has come full circle and returned home.

CONTEXTUAL

She started her career as an intern at this company and, after leading other firms, she has come full circle as its new CEO.

COMPLEX

The artist’s career came full circle when he returned to the simple charcoal sketches that defined his early work, now enriched by decades of complex experience.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    circle back

    To return to a previous location or state; to come back to.

  2. 02

    circle the drain

    To be in a rapid decline or in a state of downfall, especially as leading to an inevitable utter failure or destruction.

  3. 03

    circle the wagons

    To prepare to defend against an attack or criticism.

  4. 04

    come full circle

    To make a complete change or reform.

  5. 05

    few cards shy of a full deck

    Mentally deranged; demented; insane.

  6. 06

    full blast

    Maximum capacity or effort

  7. 07

    full butt

    headfirst with full force

  8. 08

    full marks

    Complete approval or agreement.

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