What Does ‘Circle Back’ Mean?

When communicating with colleagues, you may hear the term “circle back” from time to time. But what does it actually mean and how should it be used?

In short, “circle back” is a phrase used to indicate that a particular conversation or topic of discussion will be revisited at a later point in time. It’s usually used to let the other person know that the topic isn’t completely closed, but is merely temporarily on hold for future follow-up.

For example, if you need to quickly follow up on a meeting request about a deadline, but both parties feel more invested time is needed, you might say “Let’s circle back next week with more specifics.” This acknowledges that the conversation is ongoing, but needs to be postponed for a few days.

“Circle back” can also be used to mean that a decision or final outcome is being delayed. For instance, if you need more discussion on a project, but want to review all the details before making a decision, you might say “Let’s circle back next week once we have looked at all the data.”

In the end, “circle back” is a great phrase to use when you want to re-engage the conversation but don’t have the time or details to do so right away. It allows both parties to stay focused on current priorities while allowing ample time to gain additional information or discuss further details later.