swings and roundabouts
idiom
British, informal
—used to say that two choices or situations are basically the same because they have an equal number of advantages and disadvantages
It is a case of swings and roundabouts.
Examples of swings and roundabouts in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These are monumental achievements, inconceivable in the past, that will allow the state to navigate the swings and roundabouts a deluded Congress imposes on us.
—
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swings and roundabouts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swings%20and%20roundabouts. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share