To go around the houses 拐弯抹角的问问题

Why won't Rob's car be 'going around the houses'?!

The script of this programme 本节目台词

Feifei: 大家好，欢迎收听由BBC制作的《地道英语》节目。我是冯菲菲，还有我的搭档...

Rob: ...and me, Rob. Hello!

Feifei: Rob, I've been meaning to ask... you've got a car haven't you? 我想借用 Rob 的车，但不知道怎么开口是好。

Rob: Err... yes I have, Feifei.

Feifei: Is it quite a... special car? You know, a valuable, expensive one?

Rob: No no, it's just an old car - but it gets me around. Why are you asking?

Feifei: Oh no reason... 要不我问问他的车是不是经常开？You don't use it much, do you?

Rob: No... Feifei, there's no need to go around the houses - just say what you want to say.

Feifei: OK... can I borrow your car please? But don't worry, I won't take it around the houses - I just want to go to the supermarket.

Rob: Ha! Feifei when I said there's no need 'to go around the houses', I wasn't referring to where you drive my car. I mean, you don't have to waste time saying lots of unimportant things before you actually say what you want to say.

Feifei: 哦，我明白了。在英语里，我们用 go around the houses 来形容一个人拐弯抹角的、不直截了当地问问题或浪费时间在做很多无用功。这么一说，Rob 其实就是让我直截了当的说想说的话，Rob, you mean I should get to the point?

Rob: Yes, that's another way of putting it. Basically it means you take a long time to say or do something, when in reality it can be done or said a lot quicker. Let's hear some examples of the phrase 'to go around the houses' in action...

Examples

Don't go around the houses: just tell me straight, what have you done?

He went all around the houses talking about the match but all I wanted to know was who won?

I didn't know how to tell him he'd failed his exams so I went all around the houses before I let him know.

Feifei: 所以，短语 to go around the houses 常被用来形容旁敲侧击的、拐一大圈儿问问题。Rob, you haven't answered my question yet.

Rob: Err, what was the question?

Feifei: Can I borrow your car... please?

Rob: Oh well, erm, I need to fill it up with petrol...

Feifei: Oh right...

Rob: And I need to drive to work...

Feifei: But that's not until Monday!

Rob: And it's not very tidy inside...

Feifei: Rob - don't go around the houses - your answer is 'no' isn't it?

Rob: Yes Feifei. You can't borrow it. I crashed it last week - nobody can drive it!

Feifei: Well, you certainly won't be going round any houses then Rob!

Rob: Very funny Feifei.

Both: Bye!