Can be modified with different verbs to emphasize the indirectness, such as 'talk,' 'walk,' or 'explain'. She talked all round the houses before getting to her point.
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British Origin
Particularly British in usage; may not be understood by English speakers from other regions. When I said 'go all round the houses,' my American friend was confused.
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Not Literal
It's a figure of speech, so it doesn't mean someone is physically going around houses. He went all round the houses but didn't actually visit anyone's home.