run round in circles To waste one's time and energy engaging in trivial, aimless, or futile activities. 浪费时间和精力从事琐碎的、无目的的或徒劳的活动 做无用功，徒劳无功;在原地兜圈子 This conversation is going round and round in circles. 这个话题一直在没完没了地翻来覆去 We've been running round in circles trying to get the information we need, but no-one will tell us anything. 我们徒劳地试图找到需要的信息，但是没有任何人愿意告诉我们。