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Phrase(s): The longest way round is the shortest way home. [and] The longest way round is the nearest way home.
Prov. It may seem as if it will take too long to do something carefully and according to directions, but in fact it will take less time than doing something carelessly, because you will not have to fix it afterwards. • I would advise you to read the instructions before trying to use your new stereo. It takes some time, but the longest way round is the nearest way home.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs