Tours
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grand tour
1. An extended tour or sightseeing trip in, through, or across any country or region. Originally used in specific reference to the major cities of Europe, the trip was considered a necessary part of well-bred gentlemen's upbringing. It was later extended to travel in general. I've been saving up all year long for my grand tour through France. I took a year off between high school and college so I could do a grand tour of Europe. A: "James, I hope you stopped in Frankfurt on your grand tour." B: "Of course, sir."
2. By extension, a comprehensive, guided tour, inspection, or survey. This is your first time seeing our new house, right? Let me give you the grand tour! The general insisted on a grand tour of all the sites that are still operational. Safety inspectors periodically show up to do a grand tour of the plant and make sure everything is up to code.
nickel tour
A brief, superficial guided tour, inspection, or survey. There's not much to see here anyway, so let me give you the nickel tour. No, I don't know where the bathrooms are—I only got a nickel tour of the building.
whistle-stop tour
A brief trip to several locations. My travel agent offered me such a great deal on a whistle-stop tour of Italy that I couldn't resist.
See also: tour
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
grand tour
A comprehensive tour, survey, or inspection. For example, They took me on a grand tour of their new house, or The new chairman will want to make a grand tour of all the branches. Starting in the late 1600s this term was used for a tour of the major European cities, considered essential to a well-bred man's education. In the mid-1800s it was extended to more general use.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.