take the scenic route

Meaning

Literally, this means to choose a longer, more beautiful path or road instead of the fastest one. Figuratively, it can refer to taking a longer time to explain something, finish a task, or reach a goal. It usually carries a relaxed, positive, or slightly humorous tone.

Examples

• We aren't in a hurry, so let's take the scenic route along the coast.

  We aren't in a hurry, so let's take the scenic route along the coast.

• The GPS made us take the scenic route, but we got to see some lovely villages.

  The GPS made us take the scenic route, but we got to see some lovely villages.

• Instead of giving a straight answer, he took the scenic route and explained the whole history of the project.

  Instead of giving a straight answer, he took the scenic route and explained the whole history of the project.

• I love taking the scenic route when driving through the mountains in autumn.

  I love taking the scenic route when driving through the mountains in autumn.

• We took the scenic route home and ended up finding a great little diner.

  We took the scenic route home and ended up finding a great little diner.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We decided to make the scenic route to enjoy the view.

  ✓ We decided to take the scenic route to enjoy the view.

  The correct verb collocation is 'take the route', not 'make the route'.

• ✗ I prefer taking a scenic route because it's prettier.

  ✓ I prefer taking the scenic route because it's prettier.

  The idiom almost always uses the definite article 'the' ('take the scenic route') when referring to the concept of choosing the longer, prettier way.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We have plenty of time before check-in, so let's ___.

  💡 Choose the longer, more beautiful road

  Show answer

  take the scenic route

• She always ___ when telling a story, adding unnecessary details.

  💡 Goes the long way around figuratively

  Show answer

  takes the scenic route