Circular Firing Squad

Pronunciation: /ˈsɜrkjələr ˈfaɪərɪŋ skwɑd/

Definitions of circular firing squad

noun A group of people in a circular formation shooting at each other, often used metaphorically to describe a situation where individuals or groups within an organization are fighting or blaming each other instead of working together towards a common goal.

Example Sentences

A1 A circular firing squad is a group of people shooting at each other in a circle.

A2 The team's constant bickering is like a circular firing squad, with everyone blaming each other.

B1 The political party's infighting resembled a circular firing squad, causing chaos and division.

B2 The board members' constant disagreements created a circular firing squad mentality, hindering progress.

C1 The company's lack of communication led to a circular firing squad situation, with departments working against each other.

C2 The government's inability to make decisions resulted in a circular firing squad scenario, with different agencies undermining each other's efforts.

Examples of circular firing squad in a Sentence

formal The political party's infighting resembled a circular firing squad, with each member attacking the others.

informal The team's argument turned into a circular firing squad, with everyone blaming each other.

slang The group chat turned into a total circular firing squad, with everyone roasting each other.

figurative Their inability to work together resulted in a circular firing squad situation, where no progress could be made.

Grammatical Forms of circular firing squad

• past tense: circled firing squad
• plural: circular firing squads
• comparative: more circular firing squad
• superlative: most circular firing squad
• present tense: circle firing squad
• future tense: will circle firing squad
• perfect tense: have circled firing squad
• continuous tense: is circling firing squad
• singular: a circular firing squad
• positive degree: very circular firing squad
• infinitive: to circle firing squad
• gerund: circling firing squad
• participle: circling firing squad

Origin and Evolution of circular firing squad

First Known Use: 1900 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'circular firing squad' originated from military jargon, referring to a situation where a group of people or entities, typically within the same organization or group, turn against each other instead of focusing on a common enemy or goal.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in a literal sense to describe a military scenario, the term has evolved to be used metaphorically in various contexts to depict self-destructive behavior within a group or organization.