Sidetrack

Quick meaning: Sidetrack is a noun meaning (sometimes) Any auxiliary railroad track, as differentiated from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track.

Meaning

(sometimes) Any auxiliary railroad track, as differentiated from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track.

More Meanings

1. (mining) A smaller tunnel or well drilled as an auxiliary off a main tunnel or well.
2. (rail transport) To divert (a locomotive or train) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.
3. To sideline; to push aside; to divert or distract from, reducing (something) to a secondary or subordinate position.
4. (intransitive) To deviate briefly from the topic at hand.
5. An alternate train of thought, issue, topic, or activity, that is a deviation or distraction from the topic at hand or central activity, and secondary or subordinate in importance or effectiveness.
6. (rail transport) A second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding.
7. To divert or distract (someone) from a main issue or course of action with an alternate or less relevant topic or activity; or, to use deliberate trickery or sly wordplay when talking to (a person) in order to avoid discussion of a subject.

Example Sentences

The project was sidetracked in favor of a more popular program.

Sorry I'm late. I got sidetracked helping my friend move some furniture.

Stay focused on the story; you keep getting lost in all of these little sidetracks.

I hope you can sidetrack the teacher with questions so we don't have to take the exam.

Word Forms

• sidetracks
• side-track
• side track
• sidetracking
• sidetracked

Synonyms for sidetrack

Depending on context, synonyms include siding, lay-by, digress, stray, depart, straggle.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include siding, depart, stray, straggle, digress, spur.

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