stuck in a groove

stuck in a groove

Seemingly trapped or stuck in a non-changing pattern of life, work, or behavior. Primarily heard in UK. I had so many ambitions when I first graduated from college, but now I feel like I'm stuck in a groove. We're stuck in a groove, Sally—let's move abroad for the summer and shake things up! The touchy relations between the two countries have been stuck in a groove ever since the new president backpedaled on his predecessor's commitments to a new trade deal.
See also: groove, stuck
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stuck in a groove

BRITISH
If you are stuck in a groove, you are doing the same things again and again and no longer feel able to change your habits. After a certain age, it's easy to get stuck in a groove with your style.
See also: groove, stuck
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • (stuck) in a rut
  • in a rut
  • be (stuck) in a rut
  • get in(to) a rut
  • (as) rare as rocking horse crap
  • (as) rare as rocking horse poo
  • (as) rare as rocking horse manure
  • manure
  • lurgy
References in periodicals archive
Only by getting stuck in a groove on the war record of psychoanalysis could pep analysis advance the actors out of delinquency and deviance as the true veterans of the 20th century's psychological war efforts.