get off-track — to deviate from the intended topic or lose focus during a discussion or activity
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to deviate from the intended topic or lose focus during a discussion or activity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɡet ɔːf træk/
Example Sentences
- The teacher got off-track and started telling us about his pet hamster instead of teaching physics.
- Let's not get off-track during our budget meeting.
- I always get off-track when I see cute cat videos while studying.
get off-track
VERB[/ɡet ɔːf træk/]
to deviate from the intended topic or lose focus during a discussion or activity
to deviate from the intended topic or lose focus during a discussion or activity
When hikers get off-track, they must pack up and head back!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrase originates from railway terminology, where it literally describes a train departing from its rails or track. The expression evolved metaphorically to describe deviating from an intended purpose, goal, or topic of discussion, transferring the physical concept of derailment to abstract contexts.
Breakdown
get (depart, move away) + off (away from, separated) + track (rail, course, path). The compound literally means 'to move away from the rails,' used figuratively to mean 'to deviate from one's intended direction or topic.'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher got off-track and started telling us about his pet hamster instead of teaching physics.”
“Let's not get off-track during our budget meeting.”
“I always get off-track when I see cute cat videos while studying.”
“The project got off-track because we kept changing our goals.”
📚Related Words
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