Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
round-the-houses
idiom
/ˈraʊnd ðə ˈhaʊsɪz/
Definition
Round-the-houses refers to a way of speaking or communicating that involves indirect or circuitous methods, often implying a lack of straightforwardness.
Examples
- Instead of addressing the issue directly, he went round-the-houses with his explanation.
- If you want to get to the point, stop going round-the-houses.
Meaning
The term indicates that something is being done in a roundabout way rather than directly. It can refer to a conversation that avoids the main point or a process that takes longer than necessary to achieve a goal.
Synonyms
- Indirect
- Circuitous
- Roundabout
