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indirect path

[ɪnˈdɪrɛkt pæθ]
nounpl: indirect paths
caminho indireto
1. A route or course of action that does not go directly to the destination or objective; a roundabout way
Taking the indirect path through the forest added an extra hour to our hike.
Seguir o caminho indireto pela floresta adicionou uma hora extra à nossa caminhada.
2. In computing or mathematics, a method or process that reaches a goal through intermediate steps rather than directly
The algorithm uses an indirect path to solve the optimization problem.
O algoritmo usa um caminho indireto para resolver o problema de otimização.
3. A non-direct means of communication or influence
She took an indirect path to convince her boss by first gaining support from colleagues.
Ela seguiu um caminho indireto para convencer seu chefe, ganhando primeiro apoio dos colegas.
Synonyms
roundabout waycircuitous routedetourwinding pathback door approach
Antonyms
direct pathstraight routeshortest pathdirect route

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
caminho indireto
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
caminho indireto / volta
Volta can be used colloquially for a detour
São Paulo
caminho indireto / desvio
Desvio is common in urban context
Portugal
caminho indireto / trajeto indireto
Trajeto is preferred in formal contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

take the long way around
go around in circles
beat around the bush
take a roundabout route
go the back way
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