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detour

Definition

  • noun: the act of going or traveling to a place along a way that is different from the usual or planned way
  • noun: a deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure
  • verb: to go along a way that is different from and usually longer than the usual or planned way
  • verb: to proceed by a detour
  • often used figuratively
  • synonyms: turning, circuit

Examples

  • After teaching for many years, he 'made a brief detour' into professional cooking. [=he worked as a cook for a short period of time]

  • After teaching for many years, he briefly 'detoured into' professional cooking.

  • After a number of unexpected 'detours', we finally arrived at our destination.

Movie quotes

  • (..) for a long time. He could feed off a memory over and over again. Go! Go! - In here? - A detour. Go. he noticed young lovers would sneak into the cornfield. Will you come to bed? Yeah. Soon. Buckley did this, right? (..)
    2009 The Lovely Bones