sidetrack
1 of 2noun
side·track ˈsīd-ˌtrak 
1
: siding sense 2
2
: a position or condition of secondary importance to which one may be diverted
sidetrack
2 of 2verb
sidetracked; sidetracking; sidetracks
transitive verb
1
: to shunt aside (as to a railroad siding)
2
a
: to turn aside from a purpose : deflect
b
: to prevent action on by diversionary tactics
sidetrack an issue
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Angela Gaudioso, SPIN, 22 May 2022 The Pym arrow is a nice touch, as is the sidetrack through the Christmas tree lot. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2021 The rest is just a sidetrack, though neither goal will be easy. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2021 One of those sidetracks runs behind the International Trade Center and past the city’s public waterfront facilities Any freight rail train holding on this track blocks all freight railroad services into the main port complex. John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 17 Dec. 2019 The construction of a train station at Brookley would also require an additional $2.5 million to finance the construction of a sidetrack that would connect the main line to it. al, 20 Dec. 2019 The sidetrack to that is that Inge is a German person. Chris Hewitt, Twin Cities, 4 May 2017 When the Aztecs were winning three straight tournament championships from 2013-15 they always were accompanied with twists and turns, sidetracks and setbacks. Kirk Kenney, sandiegouniontribune.com, 27 May 2017 Mickey D. Levy, WSJ, 14 Mar. 2022 Not even a knee injury that knocked top receiver John Metchie out of the game just before halftime — and likely ended his season — could sidetrack the Tide. Paul Newberry, chicagotribune.com, 5 Dec. 2021 Not even an apparent knee injury that knocked top receiver John Metchie out of the game just before halftime could sidetrack the Tide. NBC News, 5 Dec. 2021 There’s no shame in trailing Herbert, who has avoided most of the pitfalls that sidetrack young quarterbacks. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2021 Negative circling thoughts—such as worry or rumination—can lead to depression, anxiety and self-focus that sidetrack us from job tasks—even to a shorter lifespan. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2021 Another problem with information overload is that spending too much time analyzing the wrong metrics can potentially sidetrack your business and reduce productivity. Beth Worthy, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2021 Pivec does worry that NIL could sidetrack the primary mission of student-athletes. oregonlive, 1 July 2021 Unexpected complications with a financial matter may sidetrack your social life. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 25 Mar. 2021 See More
Noun
But Becker and Tiriac are aiming for the long-term volley that a career sidetrack could impede. Angela Gaudioso, SPIN, 22 May 2022 The Pym arrow is a nice touch, as is the sidetrack through the Christmas tree lot. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2021 The rest is just a sidetrack, though neither goal will be easy. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2021 One of those sidetracks runs behind the International Trade Center and past the city’s public waterfront facilities Any freight rail train holding on this track blocks all freight railroad services into the main port complex. John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 17 Dec. 2019 The construction of a train station at Brookley would also require an additional $2.5 million to finance the construction of a sidetrack that would connect the main line to it. al, 20 Dec. 2019 The sidetrack to that is that Inge is a German person. Chris Hewitt, Twin Cities, 4 May 2017 When the Aztecs were winning three straight tournament championships from 2013-15 they always were accompanied with twists and turns, sidetracks and setbacks. Kirk Kenney, sandiegouniontribune.com, 27 May 2017 Verb
The Fed must not allow the trauma of Russia’s war to sidetrack normalizing monetary policy. Mickey D. Levy, WSJ, 14 Mar. 2022 Not even a knee injury that knocked top receiver John Metchie out of the game just before halftime — and likely ended his season — could sidetrack the Tide. Paul Newberry, chicagotribune.com, 5 Dec. 2021 Not even an apparent knee injury that knocked top receiver John Metchie out of the game just before halftime could sidetrack the Tide. NBC News, 5 Dec. 2021 There’s no shame in trailing Herbert, who has avoided most of the pitfalls that sidetrack young quarterbacks. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2021 Negative circling thoughts—such as worry or rumination—can lead to depression, anxiety and self-focus that sidetrack us from job tasks—even to a shorter lifespan. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2021 Another problem with information overload is that spending too much time analyzing the wrong metrics can potentially sidetrack your business and reduce productivity. Beth Worthy, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2021 Pivec does worry that NIL could sidetrack the primary mission of student-athletes. oregonlive, 1 July 2021 Unexpected complications with a financial matter may sidetrack your social life. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 25 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
sidetrack
verb
side·track ˈsīd-ˌtrak
sidetracked; sidetracking
: to turn aside from a main purpose or direction
Nick could launch a question guaranteed to sidetrack the teacher long enough to … wipe out the homework assignment. Andrew Clements, Frindle
Andrew Clements, Frindlesidetrack
verb
as in to deviate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- deviate
- avert
- divert
- deflect
- redirect
- shunt
- veer
- swerve
- move
- shift
- rechannel
- switch
- transfer
- wheel
- zigzag
- turn
- swivel
- swing
- twist
- reverse
- curve
- sway
- whip
- whirl
- turn back
- bend