A roundabout way
Meaning
An indirect, circuitous, or unnecessarily long method of doing or saying something.
Origin
The word "roundabout" itself paints a clear picture: going 'round and about' something instead of through it. It began its life describing a physical journey, a path that curves and meanders, avoiding a direct route, perhaps to skirt an obstacle or simply because it was the only road available. Over time, as humans navigated not just landscapes but also conversations and complex ideas, the phrase elegantly transitioned into the realm of the abstract. It became the perfect shorthand for any communication or action that skirts the main point, opting for an indirect explanation or an unnecessarily complicated method. It’s the linguistic echo of taking the scenic route when a straight line would have sufficed.
Examples
- Instead of directly asking for a raise, he approached the topic in a roundabout way, discussing his increased responsibilities first.
- The GPS led us through a roundabout way to avoid traffic, adding an extra twenty minutes to our journey.