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circulation
back in(to) circulation
1. Engaging in social activities, typically after an absence. Now that my exams are done, I'm excited to get back in circulation and see my friends again. Jill wants to get back into circulation after her hospital stay.
2. Dating again after the end of a relationship. I hope to spend some time with Matt now that he's single again and back in circulation. She has mourned her husband and is ready to get back into circulation.
*back in(to) circulation
1. Fig. back enjoying one's social contacts; back continuing to make new friends and develop a social life. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) After her illness, Kristine looked forward to getting back into circulation. I want to get back in circulation and have some fun.
2. Fig. becoming available for dating again. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) Now that Fred and Amy are through, Amy is getting back into circulation. Now that you're divorced, are you going to get back into circulation?
out of circulation
1. Lit. no longer available for use or lending. (Usually said of library materials, certain kinds of currency, etc.) I'm sorry, but the book you want is temporarily out of circulation. How long will it be out of circulation?
2. Fig. not interacting socially with other people. I don't know what's happening because I've been out of circulation for a while. My cold has kept me out of circulation for a few weeks.
out of circulation
if someone is out of circulation they are no longer taking part in social activities Work on my latest book has kept me out of circulation for the past few months.
in circulation
Also, into circulation. In business or social life, especially after a period of absence. For example, After a month in the hospital Bill was eager to get back in circulation. The antonym is out of circulation, as in Since we had twins we've been out of circulation, but we're hoping to get out more often soon . These expressions, dating from the first half of the 1900s, employ circulation in the sense of "making the rounds among people," a usage dating from the 1600s.
out of circulation