【go round in circles】 —(also: run around in circles) work busily at a task without making any progress:

• We’ll never reach an agreement: we’re just going round in circles.

Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase go full circle—(of a situation) return to what it was before (also: come full circle):

• Now we have gone full circle. Critics groan: “Bring back incompetent punk-rock bands, and away with these boring old practicing musicians!”

【go round the houses】 —do smth. in an inefficient way when there is a quicker, more convenient way:

• My method goes round the houses a bit, but it works. I’d love to hear from anyone who has an easier one.