Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

run circles around

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.10 in modern English

Syllables: run -cir-cles around
IPA

21

Scrabble Score

16

Letters

3

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To outperform by a great margin.

Example Sentences

"You may think you're a good seller Carla, but Rickey will run circles around you any day!"

Etymology

Figurative, by the metaphor of lapping footrace competitors.

Inflected Forms

runs circles around (present, singular) running circles around (participle, present) ran circles around (past) run circles round (alternative)

Synonyms

run rings around run rings round

Questions

What does run circles around mean?: To outperform by a great margin.
Where does run circles around come from?: Figurative, by the metaphor of lapping footrace competitors.

How to pronounce run circles around

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “run circles around”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “run circles around” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.