| 单词 | at, in, upon a tangent |
| 释义 | > as lemmas(off) at, in, upon a tangent c. In general use, chiefly figurative from b, esp. in phrases (off) at, in, upon a tangent, i.e. off or away with sudden divergence, from the course or direction previously followed; abruptly from one course of action, subject, thought, etc., to another. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > changing direction of movement [phrase] > aside from course > suddenly (off) at, in, upon a tangent1771 the world > relative properties > relationship > relevance or pertinence > [phrase] > irrelevant of purpose (also (out) of (a) (set) purpose)a1382 wide of (also from) the mark1536 neither off nor on1549 from the purpose1561 from (also out of) the bias1600 from the matter1658 (off) at, in, upon a tangent1825 1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 143 After having twelve times described this circle, he lately flew off at a tangent to visit some trees at his country-house in England. 1815 tr. V. J. E. de Jouy Paris Chit-chat II. 92 The passengers on the roof, being at the highest point of projection flew off in a tangent, and were precipitated..into a field of new-mown hay. 1825 J. Bentham Rationale Reward 393 That manner which they have..of flying off in tangents when they are pressed. 1865 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. Rationalism (1878) I. 284 (note) Flying off at a tangent from his main subject. 1875 W. D. Whitney Life & Growth Lang. viii. 150 To abandon the established habits of speech and go off upon a tangent. 1879 M. E. Braddon Cloven Foot x Smoking his cigar, and letting his thoughts wander away at a tangent every now and then. < as lemmas |
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