in a rut

Idioms  

1. In a settled or established habit or course of action, especially a boring one. For example, We go to the seashore every summer—we're in a rut, or After ten years at the same job she says she's in a rut. This expression alludes to having a wheel stuck in a groove in the road. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

These variations in rainfall can largely be explained by a so-called blocked weather pattern which left our weather stuck in a rut for most of January and February.

From BBC

The home-building sector has been stuck in a rut over the past couple of years, but recent technical developments, on both an absolute and relative basis, are pointing to the start of a new bullish period.

From MarketWatch

So it is likely that weather patterns will stay stuck in a rut with nothing changing substantially until mid-February.

From BBC

Super Micro Computer stock is stuck in a rut, and Goldman Sachs doesn’t see it getting back on track in 2026.

From Barron's

The U.S. housing market has been stuck in a rut over the past few years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ended
• established
• resolved