square-the-circle
/ˌskweə.ðəˈsɪə.kəl/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
to try to do something that is impossible or very difficult, especially by finding a clever solution. People use it when two goals seem to conflict.
- The minister tried to square the circle on taxes and spending.
- You cannot square the circle without making trade-offs.
- They hoped to square the circle between speed and quality.
Adinary Nuance
Square the circle is stronger than solve a problem. It suggests two things do not naturally fit together, so a perfect answer may not exist. Writers often choose it for policy, business, or academic contexts where people try to balance opposite goals. It sounds more formal and thoughtful than everyday phrases like 'work it out' or 'find a compromise.'
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- giải bài toán bất khả thi
- Spanish
- cuadrar el círculo
- Chinese
- 把圆变成正方形
- Japanese
- 円を四角にする
- Korean
- 원과 정사각형을 맞추다
Etymology
This phrase comes from the ancient geometry problem of trying to make a square with the same area as a circle. That task was later proved impossible with compass and straightedge, so the phrase became a metaphor for impossible tasks.
Common phrases
square the circle betweentry to square the circlean attempt to square the circle
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is square the circle formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal. People often use it in writing, speeches, and serious discussions.
- What is the difference between square the circle and compromise?
- A compromise accepts partial loss on both sides. Square the circle suggests trying to satisfy both sides fully.
- Can I use square the circle in everyday speech?
- Yes, but it sounds more literary or serious than casual speech.
- Is square the circle a common phrase?
- It is not very common in daily conversation, but it appears in news and academic writing.