to square the circle
1square the circle — british informal phrase to do something that is very difficult or impossible How does the prime minister square that circle? Thesaurus: to successfully deal with a problem or difficultysynonym Main entry: square * * * construct a square equal …
2square the circle — ► to solve a very difficult situation or problem: »He will have to square the circle of how to sell at current prices while cutting the cost of production to make a profit. Main Entry: ↑square …
3square the circle — ► square the circle 1) construct a square equal in area to a given circle (a problem incapable of a purely geometrical solution). 2) do something considered to be impossible. Main Entry: ↑square …
4square the circle — When someone is squaring the circle, they are trying to do something impossible …
5square the circle — to find a good solution to a problem when that seems impossible, especially because the people involved have very different needs or opinions about it. Few poor countries can afford to look after their works of art properly, but neglect is unwise …
6To square the circle — Circle Cir cle (s[ e]r k l), n. [OE. cercle, F. cercle, fr. L. circulus (Whence also AS. circul), dim. of circus circle, akin to Gr. kri kos, ki rkos, circle, ring. Cf. {Circus}, {Circum }.] [1913 Webster] 1. A plane figure, bounded by a single… …
7To square the circle — Square Square, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Squared} (skw[^a]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Squaring}.] [Cf. OF. escarrer, esquarrer. See {Square}, n.] 1. To form with four equal sides and four right angles. Spenser. [1913 Webster] 2. To form with right angles… …
8square the circle — British informal to do something that is very difficult or impossible How does the prime minister square that circle? …
9square the circle — 1》 construct a square equal in area to a given circle (a problem incapable of a purely geometrical solution). 2》 do something considered to be impossible. → square …
10square the circle — verb a) To construct a square with the same area as a given circle by using only a finite number of steps with compass and straightedge. b) To solve a famously difficult or impossible problem …
