to gradually die (literally or figuratively)
When Dan started telling the girl at the bar that he lived in a barn with 3 sheep, 2 horses, and his parents, his chances of beating it up that night started circling the drain.
580๐ 153๐
To meander, undirected towards an inevitable destination.
The conference call began with the usual decorum. However, after the first agenda item was introduced, the team began to circle the drain and wasted the entire hour and $1500 telecommunication fees, debating the necessity of the Risk Management Department.
42๐ 34๐
"A service economy that doesn't produce anything will circle the drain until it has spent all of it's savings (wealth)."
A productive economy produces wealth because they have something to sell that the rest of the world wants. When a country no longer produces anything, and simply spends money feeding one-another at fast food places, buying foriegn oil and toys, they are only spending savings until it's all gone and the economy will circle the drain. Spending money on bullets doesn't help either, but mostly a failing economy can be characterized by asking if any money is flowing into the country. If the answer is no, down we go.
23๐ 21๐
time is running out; getting closer to the inevitable
The healthy climates of earth are circling the drain!
18๐ 3๐
adj. still alive, but about to kick the bucket, buy the farm, meet your maker, etc.
Grandpa was circling the drain for years, and finally bought the farm, leaving a large estate.
91๐ 29๐
Term used in medical circles to describe a patient for whom death is impending and yet continues to cling to life
"Mrs. Robinson in room 203 has been circling the drain all week.. damn man, we really need the room!"
338๐ 145๐
When you are unsure if your partner is ok with sticking your figure in their butt, so you just circle around before you stick it in.
Yeah man, I was circling the drain until she said, "you can knock at the door, but you can't go in."
79๐ 35๐