sidetrack
/ˈsaɪdˌtræk/
noun
- A railway siding or side track used for storing or diverting trains.
- The old sidetrack was overgrown with weeds.
- Workers loaded cargo from the main line onto a sidetrack.
- The empty train was parked on a sidetrack near the station.
- A topic or activity that distracts from the main subject or goal.
- The book's main plot was interesting, but the sidetrack about the minor character felt unnecessary.
- Our discussion about vacation plans was a fun sidetrack from the meeting.
- He went off on a sidetrack about his childhood instead of answering the question.
verb
- To cause someone to stop focusing on the main topic or task.
- The phone call sidetracked me from finishing my homework.
- Don't let minor issues sidetrack the team from the project goals.
- She was trying to study, but her roommate's story sidetracked her.
- To divert a train onto a side track or siding.
- The crew sidetracked the freight train to let the passenger express pass.
- The old railway line was used to sidetrack trains during emergencies.
- Engineers sidetracked the locomotive for repairs.
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