sidetrack — to cause someone to be distracted from an immediate or important issue
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to cause someone to be distracted from an immediate or important issue
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsaɪdtræk/
Example Sentences
- I started cleaning my room but got sidetracked by finding my old photo album.
- The meeting was sidetracked when someone brought up the office coffee quality.
- Don't let personal issues sidetrack you from your career goals.
sidetrack
VERB[/ˈsaɪdtræk/]
to cause someone to be distracted from an immediate or important issue
His big presentation got sidetracked when the office cat jumped on the keyboard.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word originated in 19th-century American railroad terminology, derived from the literal side track—a secondary railroad line branching off from the main track. The term was later metaphorically extended to describe any deviation from an intended purpose or original goal, as trains were diverted from their primary destination onto alternative tracks.
Breakdown
side (lateral direction, flank) + track (railroad line, course). The compound originally referred to auxiliary railroad sidings before acquiring its figurative meaning of distraction or diversion from a main objective.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“I started cleaning my room but got sidetracked by finding my old photo album.”
“The meeting was sidetracked when someone brought up the office coffee quality.”
“Don't let personal issues sidetrack you from your career goals.”
“The professor tends to sidetrack into interesting anecdotes during lectures.”
📚Related Words
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