Etymology

around Robin Hood's barn

Today it means: the long way around; a roundabout or circuitous route Full definition →

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The story

Reference to Robin Hood, the legendary outlaw, whose barn was simply the fields and pastures surrounding Sherwood forest, his home. “Around Robin Hood’s barn” simply means all around the countryside, all through the fields and pastures.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.