sidetrack
sidetrack — verb
1. to cause a person, conversation, or activity to move away from its main purpose
to cause a person, conversation, or activity to move away from its main purpose and focus on something less important instead, often delaying or derailing the original goal
The manager's question about parking sidetracked the team from discussing their sales targets.
sidetracked + noun + from + noun phrase
Whenever Niran tries to study, his phone notifications sidetrack him for hours.
sidetrack someone + for + time period
The meeting was going well until a complaint about the coffee machine sidetracked everyone.
Amelia refused to let the argument sidetrack her from finishing the report.
The students got sidetracked by a loud noise outside the classroom and stopped taking notes.
- focus
opposite of being sidetracked; to direct full attention on the task
- concentrate
to keep attention firmly on the main subject
文法句型
sidetrack + noun + from + noun
be/get sidetracked + by + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive (be/get sidetracked). The original activity follows the preposition 'from', while the distracting thing follows 'by'.
常見錯誤
2. to turn or move away from a straight course or intended route, or to make someth
to turn or move away from a straight course or intended route, or to make something do this
The hiking trail had been rerouted to sidetrack the landslide area.
sidetrack around + obstacle
The hikers sidetracked from the main path to avoid a muddy section of the trail.
Strong winds sidetracked the small boat several miles off its planned route.
The construction crew sidetracked the drainage pipe to go around the newly discovered tree roots.
- continue straight
to keep moving in the same direction
- stay on course
to follow the planned route without turning off
文法句型
sidetrack + from + noun
sidetrack + noun + around + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb/1 (DIVERT ATTENTION). This sense is about physical movement — a vehicle, person, or object changing direction — not about attention or focus.
sidetrack — noun
1. an instance where someone or something is pulled away from the main topic or act
an instance where someone or something is pulled away from the main topic or activity, causing a delay or loss of progress toward the original goal
The budget argument was an unwanted sidetrack from the main meeting agenda.
a sidetrack from + noun
Felix realized the funny video was just a sidetrack to avoid doing his homework.
The political debate turned into a sidetrack when the candidates started discussing old personal matters.
Ignacio's question about the timeline was not a sidetrack; it was relevant to the topic.
- distraction
more common and neutral; can be welcome or unwelcome
- diversion
more formal, often deliberately created
- interruption
implies something forced a stop, not necessarily a change of topic
- focus
the main point or center of attention
- main point
the central issue that should be discussed
文法句型
a sidetrack from + noun
用法筆記
Often appears in the pattern 'a sidetrack from + noun' to describe what has been interrupted. Can replace 'distraction' but carries a slightly stronger sense of unwelcome interruption and delay.
2. a short section of railway track that branches off from the main line, used for
a short section of railway track that branches off from the main line, used for storing trains or carriages that are not running on the main route
The old railway station still has a sidetrack where freight trains used to wait overnight.
railway sidetrack for storage
Workers left the empty carriages on the sidetrack while the express train passed by.
The museum restored a historic sidetrack to show how trains were once stored there.
During the storm, the station master moved all trains onto the sidetrack for safety.
- siding
more common in British English for the same railway structure
- spur
a shorter branch off the main line, often leading to a specific location
- branch line
a secondary railway line, usually with passenger service
- main line
the primary railway track used for through traffic
- through track
a track that trains pass along without stopping or storing
文法句型
on a sidetrack
pull onto a sidetrack
用法筆記
The more common British term for this railway structure is 'siding'. In American English, 'sidetrack' and 'siding' are both used.
3. a new well drilled at an angle from the side of an existing oil well, used to re
a new well drilled at an angle from the side of an existing oil well, used to reach oil or gas that the original well cannot access
The drilling team prepared a sidetrack to reach oil the first well had missed.
prepare/drill a sidetrack (oil industry)
Hyun's company invested in a new sidetrack after the original well stopped producing enough oil.
Geologists recommended a sidetrack to access the gas pocket located beside the main well.
The crew made a sidetrack to recover oil from deeper rock below the original well.
- branch well
a more transparent term for a well that splits from the main well
- lateral well
a more technical term used in drilling operations
- main well
the original vertical well from which the sidetrack branches off
- original well
the first well drilled at a site
文法句型
drill a sidetrack
a sidetrack well
用法筆記
A technical term used mainly by engineers and geologists in the oil and gas industry. The common verb phrase is 'drill a sidetrack'. Not used in everyday conversation.