big detour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big detour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant deviation from a planned route or course of action, often in the context of travel or metaphorically in discussions about plans or projects. Example: "Due to road construction, we had to take a big detour to reach our destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She arrived on the Hungarian/Serbian border the day it closed to refugees and had to make a big detour via Croatia and Slovenia to reach her destination.

The Guardian

Balad is a big detour for Mr. Mason, who spends most of his time in the United States assessing brain-injured patients for possible admission to the neurologic rehabilitation unit at Brookhaven Hospital in Tulsa, Okla., where he works.

The New York Times - Books

But then the task of integrating the east turned into an extended national emergency which inherently favoured a paternalist state and caused "a big detour from the ideological trend," Mr Paqué recalls.Liberal reforms came back on the agenda only in 2003.

The Economist

Restaurante Alhucemas: Half an hour outside Seville and an hour from Jerez, this family-run restaurant is worth a big detour for exquisitely fried seafood.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Most goods are shipped from the port of Haifa, about an hour's drive away from most of the producers, but in reality it takes several hours, sometimes days, to get there because vehicles are forced to make big detours to go through the checkpoints, and pallets have to be stacked far lower than capacity to allow sniffer dogs to jump over them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On August 9, 2009 I took the biggest detour of my life!

Huffington Post

It was a great detour.

The Guardian - Travel

MT 19--This is where my big fire detour started and ended.

University of California, Berkeley

And then when the dude gets out at his destination you're stuck on a one-way street and have to make an even bigger, longer detour to get to your stop because of that dude's selfishness.

Vice

If you have to get to the other side and there is no coverage straight across, go around and make big circular detours.

WikiHow

The area at mile marker 22 just south of the town of Lucia forced travelers heading north from Cambria or south from Big Sur to detour around the slide area.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "big detour", ensure the context clearly establishes the original intended path or plan to emphasize the deviation. For example, 'Due to the unexpected road closure, our cross-country trip required a "big detour" through the mountains.'

Common error

Avoid using "big detour" vaguely. Instead, specify the consequences of the detour to enhance understanding. For example, instead of saying 'The project took a "big detour"', say 'The project took a "big detour", adding three months to the timeline and increasing costs by 20%'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big detour" functions as a noun phrase or adjectival phrase, describing the extent or degree of the deviation from a planned route or course of action. As per Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid and appropriate in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "big detour" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression that conveys a substantial change in a planned route or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use in written English. Although it appears less frequently in comparison to alternatives such as "major deviation" or "significant alteration", its neutral register and clear meaning make it a valuable addition to descriptive language. The main thing to remember is to ensure you quantify the impact or nature of the "big detour" in your sentences to give the reader a better understanding of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major deviation

Emphasizes the act of moving away from the intended path.

significant alteration

Focuses on the change made to the original plan or route.

substantial diversion

Highlights the act of turning aside from the main course.

considerable rerouting

Specifically refers to changing the route significantly.

extensive circumvention

Implies a large-scale avoidance or going around something.

circuitous route

Describes a path that is long and indirect.

roundabout path

Suggests a less direct and more complicated way to reach a destination.

long way around

Indicates that the route taken is much longer than necessary.

major workaround

Focuses on finding a solution to bypass an obstacle.

significant shift

Highlights a notable change in direction or focus.

FAQs

What does "big detour" mean?

A "big detour" refers to a significant deviation from an intended route or plan, often implying an unexpected or substantial change of course.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "big detour"?

Use "big detour" when you want to emphasize that a change in direction or plans is considerable and not just a minor adjustment.

What are some alternatives to saying "big detour"?

You can use alternatives like "major deviation", "significant alteration", or "substantial diversion" depending on the context.

How can I use "big detour" in a sentence?

Example: "The unexpected construction forced us to take a "big detour" adding an hour to our journey."