English Usage Of "detour"

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say2_sachin Sunday 04th of December 2005 02:39:43 PM
Usage of "detour" - Hi Friends,

Please help me out in understanding the exact meaning of word 'detour'. Can we share some phrases using this word. Actually detour means a different approach to a problem or route to a place to avoid certain circumstances.. What u ppl say!!

joziboy Sunday 04th of December 2005 08:52:03 PM
- Yup, detour pretty much just means a route which isn't direct. It can be an inconvenience, such as when the route you were planning on taking is having maintainance on it so you have to take a detour. Or it can be positive, such as taking a detour because you think the longer route is prettier than the direct route.
I suppose you could use it for mental problems, although the expression most people use in that case is 'a roundabout way'.
Eg, I found the solution to this maths problem in a very roundabout way!
Hope that helps :)

Bradley326 Thursday 08th of December 2005 04:55:19 PM
- [quote]Or it can be positive, such as taking a detour because you think the longer route is prettier than the direct route.
[/quote]

Another common phrase for expressing this idea is, "taking the scenic route" That is used very commonly where I live.

Phrasebase Archive
	say2_sachin	Sunday 04th of December 2005 02:39:43 PM
	Usage of "detour" - Hi Friends, Please help me out in understanding the exact meaning of word 'detour'. Can we share some phrases using this word. Actually detour means a different approach to a problem or route to a place to avoid certain circumstances.. What u ppl say!!
	joziboy	Sunday 04th of December 2005 08:52:03 PM
	- Yup, detour pretty much just means a route which isn't direct. It can be an inconvenience, such as when the route you were planning on taking is having maintainance on it so you have to take a detour. Or it can be positive, such as taking a detour because you think the longer route is prettier than the direct route. I suppose you could use it for mental problems, although the expression most people use in that case is 'a roundabout way'. Eg, I found the solution to this maths problem in a very roundabout way! Hope that helps :)
	Bradley326	Thursday 08th of December 2005 04:55:19 PM
	- [quote]Or it can be positive, such as taking a detour because you think the longer route is prettier than the direct route. [/quote] Another common phrase for expressing this idea is, "taking the scenic route" That is used very commonly where I live.