Meaning & use
round file
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Meaning
phrasecountableinformalhumorous
A joking term for a wastebasket, used when saying that a document should be thrown away.
Grammar: Usually used in the phrase 'in the round file' or 'to the round file'.
Patterns
- in the round file
- to the round file
That report is so bad it belongs in the round file.
Just put the memo in the round file; nobody will read it.
Common combinations
- in the round file
- All those old receipts ended up in the round file.
- go to the round file
- The application went straight to the round file.
- file it in the round file
- If you don't need it, just file it in the round file.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wastebasket
- Wastebasket is the standard, neutral word for the container; round file is a humorous substitute used only in office jokes.
- trash can
- Trash can is the usual American term for a large container for waste; round file is not used for actual trash cans, only as a joke.
Commonly confused: round file or file?
round file vs file
A file is a container for keeping documents; a round file is a joke name for the trash, implying that the document will be thrown away.
Practice
The boss didn't like the proposal and told me to put it in the ______.
Choose one answer.
The sentence implies the proposal should be thrown away, so 'round file' (a humorous term for the trash) fits. 'File cabinet' and 'filing system' are places to keep documents, not discard them. 'Round table' is a table, not related to discarding.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “round file”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.