Meaning of merry-go-round | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Synonym of carousel (“a pleasure ride, typically found at amusement parks and fairs and accompanied by music, consisting of a slowly revolving circular platform on which are fixed various seats, frequently shaped like horses or other animals, cars, etc., which may also move up and down”).
2. A freight train of hopper wagons which loads and unloads its cargo while moving continuously on a circular track, often incorporating a balloon loop.
   attributive, often
3. A piece of playground equipment consisting of a circular platform that is made to revolve by pushing while users stand on it.
   US
4. A bustle of activity; also, a meaningless cycle of activity.
   figuratively
5. A series of singles and doubles that allows the batting team to score while still having runners on base who can be driven in by the next batter.
   figuratively
6. An informal cooperative scheme in which members (often women) regularly contribute money to a pool, the collected money being then paid out to one of the members; this is repeated so that every member eventually receives money. The collected money may also be invested, or loaned to members.
   Kenya, figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“When we left the Madeleine we took our way to the Place⟳ de la Concorde, and thence through the Elysian Fields […] There were merry-go-rounds, wooden horses, and other provision for children's amusements among the trees; […]”

“William had eleven consecutive rides on the merry-go-round. He had made up his mind⟳ to have⟳ twelve, but, much to his regret⟳, had to relinquish the twelfth owing to certain unpleasant sensations.”

“Can you even distinguish yourself from me? Can you even recall⟳ how to think⟳? Can you pull⟳ out the tube you suck⟳ on to feed⟳? Have⟳ you ever formed your own⟳ beliefs? Behold the merry-go-round Circle so fast you can't scream⟳ Forget⟳ you ever knew ground Can't stop⟳ now”

“Some of the desirable characteristics of the "Merry-go-round" railway described in this article are found in the Tyne Dock–Consett iron⟳ ore traffic of the N.E.R. [North Eastern Railway]. The ore is carried in high capacity wagons, run⟳ in trains of fixed formation. A triangle at the Consett works enables each train⟳, complete⟳ with its locomotive, to be turned and sent back without any remarshalling after unloading to Tyne Dock. At the quayside, the wagons are mechanically loaded as a train⟳ and at Consett they run⟳ directly on to a gantry above unloading bunkers; they have⟳ air-operated bottom-discharge doors worked from the locomotive.”

“Reshaping [of British Railways] initiated the development of what would become⟳ merry-go-round trains, delivering coal non-stop to power stations in newly built hopper wagons.”

“Some of us are lucky enough to still have⟳ families that care. But more often than not, we find⟳ that we have⟳ lost contact⟳ with the outside world, which leaves us very vulnerable in the merry-go-round of the parole process⟳.”

“There's no time for happiness today / Got a date⟳ for lunch, a plastic tray / Got a deal⟳ to sign⟳ her life away / Got an early grave she's gotta make⟳ / And we are all insane / Hold⟳ on / Slow down / You'll never get⟳ to heaven on this merry-go-round […]”

“Russell kept the merry-go-round moving with an RBI single that advanced Henderson to third.”

CEFR level