run circles around

run circles around (someone or something)

1. To move much faster than someone or something. A: "Hey, wanna race?" B: "No way, I'm too out of shape. You would run circles around me!" My sports car is going to run circles around your pokey little station wagon!
2. To do something much better or more efficiently than someone or something. Her presentation on the way molecules bind together was so polished and well researched—she absolutely ran circles around the other students. When it comes to pure processing power, Spikerosoft's new machine runs circles around Flapple's.
See also: around, circle, run
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

run circles around someone

 and run rings around someone
Fig. to outrun or outdo someone. (Alludes to someone who runs fast enough to run in circles around a competitor and still win the race.) John is a much better racer than Mary. He can run circles around her. Mary can run rings around Sally.
See also: around, circle, run
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

run circles/rings around, to

To defeat decisively in a contest; to outdo. The implication here is that a runner moving in circles can still beat another running in a straight line. The term began to appear in print in the 1890s. “He could run rings round us in everything,” wrote G. Parker in the Westminster Gazette (1894).
See also: circle, ring, run
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • run circles around (someone or something)
  • run circles around someone
  • run circles round (someone or something)
  • run rings around
  • run rings around (someone or something)
  • run rings around someone
  • run rings around/round somebody/something
  • run rings round (someone or something)
  • run rings round someone
  • run circles/rings around, to
References in periodicals archive
KIRK BROADFOOT was left seeing stars twice in a week after being knocked unconscious last Wednesday - then being forced to watch Celtic run circles around his team-mates three days later.
KO'D KIRK WAS DAZZLED BY HOOPS
We're not going to let anybody run circles around us,' he said.
Ex-PDEA exec, dismissed-cop linked to shabu cited for contempt
I just hope that he learns the ins and outs of the BOC so that these so called corrupt officials won't simply run circles around him," Sen.
Match good intentions with competence, Customs chief told
Combined with beefier brakes and leading-edge chassis and suspension, the new fiberglass Chevy was able to run circles around previous models.
For one glorious year, the engineering stars aligned and there were no compromis
But a human, equipped with a computer, will still run circles around them because of the sheer, currently irreproducible complexity of the human brain.
AI cannot replace the wonders of human brain
If he hasn't got a ball, he will run circles around you.
Morgan loves to run, cuddles and playing with a ball; YOUR PETS Tell us about your amazing pets. Email jessica.walford@walesonline. co.uk or call 029 2024 3638
Kept like inventory in muddy fields, row after row of tethered dogs bark, howl and run circles around dilapidated wooden"houses" or plastic barrels their only shelter from the elements.
How Many Dogs Will Die In The Iditarod?
This could open the door for lesser-known cryptocurrencies to run circles around this recent darling in 2018.
3 Cryptocurrencies That Can Beat Ripple
But this is the Youtube generation we are talking about and they will find their way around the Internet and run circles around us if given a chance.
Oman family: Teach your children about online safety
Generally speaking, many of these folks can run circles around many of ours.
Learning to keep U.S. jobs: to compete with workers in other countries, our academic programs have to become more rigorous
It wasn't as if the Clippers were complaining, even after watching Durant and the Warriors run circles around them during a 120-75 beat-down at Oracle Arena.
Clippers no match for Warriors
Rhino team leader at Knowsley Safari, Jason Doherty, says: "Nomvula is a bundle of energy and continues to run circles around patient mum Meru.
Long to rhino-ver us ..
"We're nimble enough to run circles around the big agencies while delivering great creative in a timely, cost-effective manner," said president and CEO Brian Kristofek.
Upshot: this Chicago shop finds its sweet spot in hyper-focused marketing strategies that inspire creative and produce big results for prominent clients
Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., as stating President Barack Obama has "run circles around this Congress since John Boehner's been speaker," adding that his constituents wanted to see Boehner replaced.
Boehner's Exit Means No Government Shutdown (for Now): Analysts
Here's the problem: His sex drive could run circles around mine.
Couple is compatible, except when it comes to the bedroom