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Go around the Houses

What Does "Go around the Houses" Mean?

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"Go around the houses" is an English idiom. It means "to take a long and convoluted route or approach to a destination or goal."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "go around the houses" used in a sentence:
  • He always had a tendency to go around the houses when explaining simple concepts.
  • She took a while to get to the point, often going around the houses in her storytelling.
  • They couldn't afford to waste time, so they avoided going around the houses in their discussions.
meaning for go around the houses

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Go around the Houses" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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