Circle back
verb
verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To return to a previous location or state; to come back to. idiomatic, intransitive
"I have to circle back to the office to pick up a few things."
- 2 To return to a previous topic of discussion; to bring up again. idiomatic, intransitive
"We're out of time right now, but we can circle back on this tomorrow."
- 3 Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see circle, back.
"When it was released from its cage Monday, the bird gracefully circled back, almost in a half moon, before disappearing into the sky."
Example
More examples"I have to circle back to the office to pick up a few things."
Etymology
Alluding to physically making a circle to order to return to one's starting point (as in sense 3).