- Meaning
- This idiom describes attempting an impossible or extremely difficult task, often one that is logically or practically unachievable, as if trying to construct a square with the same area as a circle using only a compass and straightedge, a famous insoluble problem in geometry. It conveys the futility or ambition of tackling an intractable challenge, typically used in intellectual, professional, or philosophical contexts to highlight the limits of possibility or the audacity of trying. The phrase carries a tone of intellectual challenge, resignation, or admiration for effort, reflecting cultural fascination with unsolvable problems and the human drive to push beyond constraints. It resonates in discussions of complex or paradoxical issues, capturing the tension between ambition and reality, and its mathematical imagery adds a layer of scholarly precision, evoking an ancient puzzle. The idiom often implies a noble but doomed endeavor, making it a profound metaphor for grappling with the impossible.
- Origin
- The phrase originates from ancient Greek mathematics, specifically the classical problem of ‘squaring the circle,’ posed by geometers like Euclid (3rd century BCE), deemed impossible by 1882 when it was proven transcendental numbers like π prevent a solution. Its metaphorical use in English emerged in the 17th century, reflecting Renaissance interest in mathematics, with an early appearance in John Donne’s 1611 poem *An Anatomy of the World*: ‘Squaring the circle of man’s soul.’ The idiom gained traction in the 18th century, as seen in Samuel Johnson’s essays on human limits. Its use grew in 19th-century British and American literature, particularly in philosophical and scientific debates, with Charles Dickens’ *Bleak House* (1853) using it for futile efforts. The phrase’s adoption was amplified in the 20th century through academic and literary circles, notably in *The Times* discussions of intractable issues. Its spread to American and Commonwealth English came through British intellectual influence, and its vivid imagery, evoking a geometric paradox, and its applicability to impossibility ensured its enduring use across English-speaking cultures, from academia to policy debates.
- Variants
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- Square the circle
- Squaring the circle
- Try to square the circle
- Circle squaring
- Examples
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- Balancing work and family perfectly is like trying to square the circle.
- Squaring the circle, he aimed to satisfy all stakeholders with one plan.
- Try to square the circle, and you’ll exhaust yourself with that paradox.
- Circle squaring, their attempt to merge opposing policies failed.
- Square the circle? No way we can cut costs without losing quality.
- Squaring the circle, she tackled the unsolvable budget deficit.
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