square the circle

square the circle

to find a good solution to a problem when that seems impossible, especially because the people involved have very different needs or opinions about it. Few poor countries can afford to look after their works of art properly, but neglect is unwise if you want to attract tourists. Thailand is attempting to square the circle.

See also: circle, square

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square the circle

to solve an unusually difficult problem. To get both sides to agree to anything at all meant we had to square the circle.

have it both ways

Etymology: from the problem in geometry (= a branch of mathematics) of constructing a square that is equal in area to a circle

See also: circle, square