swings and roundabouts
(UK, Ireland, Australia) Gains and losses that offset each other.
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We certainly had some problems, eg post Iraq war, and although social media was rarer, local journalism was also generally healthier. So swings and roundabouts. But key thing was major overhaul of our complaints proce…
Pretty quiet at Lytchett Bay today, but did manage Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Red Kite, White Tailed Eagle, several Buzzard and five or so Whimbrel, so swings and roundabouts… @ianballam.bsky.social @harbourbirds.b…
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(UK, Ireland, Australia) Gains and losses that offset each other.
If, in order to save money, you never buy a parking ticket, you are more likely to get fined, so it's all swings and roundabouts really.
“We certainly had some problems, eg post Iraq war, and although social media was rarer, local journalism was also generally healthier. So swings and roundabouts. But key thing was major overhaul of our complaints process in response to some, ahem, stories.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Pretty quiet at Lytchett Bay today, but did manage Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Red Kite, White Tailed Eagle, several Buzzard and five or so Whimbrel, so swings and roundabouts… @ianballam.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #UKbirding”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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Semantically related
- 64%
(US, regional) roundabout; merry-go-round.
- 64%
The act or motion of that which swings.
- 61%
(UK, informal) A ring junction.
- 61%
(Britain, informal) To be successful and fun.
- 60%
A British informal phrase meaning an event or activity is going brilliantly — full of energy, enthusiasm, and the feeling that everything is clicking into place. When a party, performance, or project goes with a swing, it flows naturally and everyone involved is having a great time. The phrase has been in common use since at least the early 20th century and remains a cheerful staple of British conversational English.