run around—(coll.)
1. go to different places for entertainment or to do things:
- We went for brunch and then ran around all day, watched Family Guy, and ate pasta.
2. make short journeys in a vehicle:
- Mary bought herself an old car, just for running around in.
3. associate with smb. of the opposite sex:
- I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me.
run around in circles —(also: go round in circles) work busily at a task without making any progress:
- You’re just running around in circles. Let’s figure out a sensible solution.