A: You have a life and career here, why do you have to start from the scratch in Shanghai? B: If an artist does not go to Beijing or Shanghai, one would be, in a sense, out of the loop. Note: This idiom means “not informed, up-to-date, or not included in a process or discussion.” Originating around the 1970s, the term is thought to have roots in computer or telephony terminology. The loop refers to the social circle — a select group of people who are influential, especially in decision making. If you belong to this loop, then you know what’s going on, because you participate in discussions and hear things about various issues. If you’re kept out of the loop, you will be ignorant of what’s going on. |