sidetrack
sidetrack — 動詞
1. to cause a person, conversation, or activity to move away from its main purpose
岔題；分心
使人偏離原本的主題或任務
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.
主管關於停車的問題，讓團隊偏離了原本討論銷售目標的主題。
sidetracked + noun + from + noun phrase
Whenever Niran tries to study, his phone notifications sidetrack him for hours.
每當 Niran 想唸書的時候，手機的通知總會讓他分心好幾個小時。
sidetrack someone + for + time period
The meeting was going well until a complaint about the coffee machine sidetracked everyone.
會議原本進行得很順利，直到有人抱怨咖啡機，結果每個人的注意力都被轉移了。
Amelia refused to let the argument sidetrack her from finishing the report.
Amelia 拒絕讓這場爭論轉移她的注意力，堅持把報告寫完。
The students got sidetracked by a loud noise outside the classroom and stopped taking notes.
學生們被教室外的一陣巨響分了心，停下筆來沒有繼續抄筆記。
- 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
偏離；使偏離
離開原來的行進方向
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.
那條登山步道已經改道，以避開滑坡的區域。
sidetrack around + obstacle
The hikers sidetracked from the main path to avoid a muddy section of the trail.
那群登山客偏離了主要步道，繞過了一段泥濘的路段。
Strong winds sidetracked the small boat several miles off its planned route.
強風讓那艘小船偏離了原本的航線好幾英里。
The construction crew sidetracked the drainage pipe to go around the newly discovered tree roots.
施工團隊將排水管改道，以避開新發現的樹根。
- 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 — 名詞
1. an instance where someone or something is pulled away from the main topic or act
分心事；干擾
使人偏離主題的事物
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.
關於預算的爭論偏離了會議的主要議程，這是一個不必要的干擾。
a sidetrack from + noun
Felix realized the funny video was just a sidetrack to avoid doing his homework.
Felix 發現那個好笑的影片只是讓他逃避做功課的一個分心事物。
The political debate turned into a sidetrack when the candidates started discussing old personal matters.
那場政治辯論後來變成了一場偏離主題的討論，因為候選人開始談論過去的私事。
Ignacio's question about the timeline was not a sidetrack; it was relevant to the topic.
Ignacio 關於專案時間表的問題並不是偏離主題，而是與討論內容直接相關。
- 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
側線；旁軌
鐵路旁存放列車的短軌道
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.
那座老舊的火車站仍然保留著一條側線，以前貨運列車會停在那裡過夜。
railway sidetrack for storage
Workers left the empty carriages on the sidetrack while the express train passed by.
工作人員將空的車廂停在側線上，讓快車通過車站。
The museum restored a historic sidetrack to show how trains were once stored there.
博物館修復了一條歷史悠久的側線，向遊客展示過去如何存放火車。
During the storm, the station master moved all trains onto the sidetrack for safety.
暴風雨期間，站長將所有列車移到側線上以策安全。
- 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
側鑽井
從原油井側面鑽出的新井
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.
鑽井團隊準備了一口側鑽井，以開採第一口井未能取得的石油。
prepare/drill a sidetrack (oil industry)
Hyun's company invested in a new sidetrack after the original well stopped producing enough oil.
Hyun 的公司投入資金開鑿了一口新的分支井，因為原本的油井產油量已經不足。
Geologists recommended a sidetrack to access the gas pocket located beside the main well.
地質學家建議開鑿一口側鑽井，以開採位於主井旁邊的天然氣層。
The crew made a sidetrack to recover oil from deeper rock below the original well.
團隊打造了一條側鑽井，以開採原井下方更深處岩石中的石油。
- 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.