the meaning of "talk circles around "

[kjc0123]

What is the literal and figurative meaning of "talk circles around " in the following sentences?

The mob boss had been indicted many times, but he had never been convicted because his high-priced lawyers had always been able to talk circles around the district attorney.

[brachiopod]

Hi kjc, still reading the pulp fiction, eh ?!

"Talk circles around" is derived from the similar "run rings around".

This means to outperform, or to be better at something than someone else.

For example;

 "The other team were supposed to have been top of the league, but we ran rings around them on the football field"

means your team played so much better than the opposition even to the point of making them look stupid !

To "talk circles around" is a similar idea, meaning to verbally outperform or outwit in a debate, discussion or argument.

In this context, it means the mob boss' lawyers managed to successfully argue against the prosecutor (district attorney), by using greater skill with words, ideas, knowledge etc, so that no case against the boss remained.