circular file

A jocular term for a trashcan or waste basket, i.e., a receptacle for unwanted files. You have to make your application really stand out if you don't want it to end up in the employer's circular file. I spent months working on that report, only to find out that it would end up in the circular file due to budgetary cuts. We don't need those reports anyway—you can put them in the circular file.

circular file

and round file

n. a wastebasket. (see also file thirteen.) Most of the junk mail sits here until I can put it into the circular file. Oh, that letter? It went straight to the round file.

See also: circular, file

See also:

References in periodicals archive

So, how can the CPAs in a smaller firm convince magazine or newspaper editors that their story is interesting enough to result in newsstand copy rather than circular file filler?

How to get your news release published

But even when liberal crusaders argue the same, bemoaning the domination of politics by big money and big lobbies, they shrink from the logical conclusion, which is that their bright ideas and clever suggestions, not to mention their frequent summonses to morality and meaningfulness, are destined for the circular file. Even if Clinton were the unhappy captive of the Democratic Leadership Council, as many disappointed fans believe, and not one of its founding members, as is actually the case; even if he had those good intentions and instincts and impulses with which those fans are still so eager to credit him-so what?

Subject to debate

Finally, factual, grammatical, or spelling errors and misused words are sure ways for a candidate's resume to reach the circular file:

Resume blunders and bloopers

The proverbial "circular file" or ubiquitous under-the-desk trash receptacle must now handle only paper.

1993 a hectic year for building owners

Press releases that read like ads get tossed into the circular file.

Market your firm with press releases

That's the quickest way for it to end up in the circular file rather than in print or on the air.

Turning the power of the press to your advantage

And the freedom for each team to determine lineout numbers has also been thrown in the circular file marked Waste of Time and Effort.

Why good old Northern thinking had to prevail

When the item came up before the council, Councilor-at-Large Gary Rosen, one of seven councilors who co-sponsored the order requesting the report, thanked the city administration for the report and simply moved to have it filed, which is the parliamentary equivalent of placing it in the circular file.

Council quietly dumps charter review initiative

A renewal notice that is unclear about the terms you're offering or the expiration date of the current subscription will likely end up in the circular file.

QuickFill advises to keep renewal series simple and without gimmicks

Shetters has done her best to pitch that Washington game in the circular file.

A tall order for Shetters

Letters from a parishioner living in a three-floor walkup go into the circular file.

Pat's clear, direct letters could bend a bishop's miter: with humor and sarcasm, she calls elitists and bishops to task. (Column)

Poor quality design, paper, writing, photography or art, typos and other faux pas will end your chances of being taken seriously faster than you can say circular file.

12 keys to landing the big contract