in the round

Idioms  

1. Visible from all sides, as in Jerry's done an excellent job in this interview, really portraying the senator in the round. This expression, which dates from about 1800, was at first used for a free-standing piece of sculpture (as opposed to a relief on a wall), and a century later for a theatrical stage (called theater-in-the-round) so placed that the audience could see a performance from all sides. Since the 1920s it has also been used figuratively for someone or something seen three-dimensionally, as in the example.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in the round

He was sensationally rocked by a huge uppercut from underdog Prenga in the opening round, and then hit the canvas again later in the round.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

It dispatched Austria in the round of 32, then posted back-to-back one goal victories with desperately late goals against Portugal and Belgium.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Yet they went out in the round of 16.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026

His two goals in the Estadio Azteca carried the Three Lions to a 3-2 victory over Mexico in the round of 16.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

She walked there in the round courtyard with the Governor’s wife, who used her with great kindness, knowing the nobility of her blood.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson