空くう転てん

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

racing; idling; spinning without load

Literal mechanical sense: an engine or wheel turns without doing useful work, often because of lost traction or no load.

See also: 空回り

• 雪ゆき道みちでタイヤが空くう転てんして進すすめなかった。

  The tires spun on the snowy road and we couldn't move forward.

• エンジンが空くう転てんしているだけで、車くるまは動うごかない。

  The engine is just racing; the car isn't moving.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

going in circles; spinning one's wheels; getting nowhere

Figurative use: discussions, arguments, or efforts that repeat without progress. Often used with 議論, 話し合い, etc.

• 会かい議ぎは空くう転てんするばかりで、何なにも決きまらなかった。

  The meeting just went in circles and nothing was decided.

• 同おなじ話はなしの繰くり返かえしで、議ぎ論ろんが空くう転てんしている。

  The discussion is spinning its wheels, repeating the same points.