Business Definition of "Circle Back"
The phrase "circle back" is used in corporate settings to mean "revisit this topic later" or "follow up on this." It is one of the most mocked pieces of corporate jargon, often used to politely end a conversation without committing to anything.
What Does “Circle Back” Mean?
Circle back is corporate speak for “let’s talk about this later.” In practice, it’s often used to politely shut down a conversation without having to say no directly.
The phrase gained a reputation as one of the most annoying pieces of business jargon because it’s rarely followed by actual follow-up. When your manager says they’ll “circle back” on your raise discussion, you should probably start updating your resume.
Usage Example
Let’s circle back on that proposal after we have Q2 numbers.
This usually means the proposal is being shelved indefinitely, but nobody wants to say that out loud.
Another common usage:
I’ll circle back with the team and get you an answer by Friday.
This one at least includes a deadline, which increases the odds of actual follow-through from roughly 5% to maybe 30%.
Why is “circle back” so overused?
Circle back solves a social problem that comes up constantly in meetings: someone brings up a topic that doesn’t fit the current agenda, or asks a question nobody can answer on the spot. Rather than saying “I don’t know” or “that’s not important right now,” the meeting leader can say “let’s circle back on that” and move on without offending anyone.
The problem is that this creates a backlog of topics that never actually get addressed. Most organizations have no system for tracking “circle back” items, so they simply evaporate.
Circle back vs. follow up
“Follow up” is the more straightforward version of circle back. When someone says they’ll follow up, there’s an implication that they’ll actually do something. Circle back is more passive, suggesting that the topic will naturally come around again, which it usually won’t.
If you want something to actually happen, ask for a follow-up with a specific date. If you want to politely kill a topic, circle back is your friend.
Origin of the term “Circle Back”
The phrase comes from the literal act of circling back to a starting point, as you might do when walking or driving. It entered business vocabulary in the 1980s alongside other spatial metaphors like “touch base,” “reach out,” and “move forward.”
Circle back saw a spike in usage during the 2020s as remote work and video calls became standard. When you’re on a Zoom with 15 people, circle back became essential for keeping meetings from derailing completely.
Synonyms and variations of Circle Back
- Circle back around
- Loop back
- Revisit
- Touch base later
- Follow up
- Get back to you
- Put a pin in it
- Table this for now
Frequently Asked Questions
What does circle back mean in business?
Circle back means to return to a topic or follow up on something at a later time. It's commonly used in meetings when someone wants to move on from a topic without making a decision, or in emails when promising to provide more information later.
Is circle back a real phrase?
Yes, circle back is a real and commonly used business phrase. It originated from the idea of literally circling back to a starting point, like making a U-turn. It entered corporate vocabulary in the 1980s and has since become one of the most recognizable pieces of office jargon.
Why do people hate the phrase circle back?
Circle back is often criticized because it's frequently used as a way to avoid making decisions or commitments. When someone says they'll circle back, there's no guarantee they actually will. The phrase has become associated with empty corporate speak and meeting culture that produces little action.