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
收听与下载
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!
