sidetrack

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: sidetracks

Antonyms: sidetracks

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

1. {{lb|en|rail transport}} A second, relatively short length of [[track]] just to the side of a [[railroad]] track, joined to the main track by [[switch]]es at one or both ends, used either for unloading [[freight]], or to allow two trains on a same track to [[meet]] (opposite directions) or [[pass]] (same direction); a [[siding|railroad siding]].
2. (sometimes) Any [[auxiliary]] railroad track, as ''differentiated'' from a [[siding]], that runs [[adjacent]] to the main track.
3. {{lb|en|mining}} A smaller [[tunnel]] or [[well]] drilled as an auxiliary off a main tunnel or well.
4. An alternate [[train of thought]], [[issue]], [[topic]], or [[activity]], that is a [[deviation]] or [[distraction]] from the [[topic]] at hand or central activity, and secondary or subordinate in [[importance]] or [[effectiveness]].

Verb

1. {{lb|en|rail}} To [[divert]] (a [[locomotive]] or [[train]]) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.
2. To [[divert]] or [[distract]] (someone) from a main issue or course of action with an [[alternate]] or less [[relevant]] topic or activity; or, to use [[deliberate]] [[trickery]] or [[sly]] wordplay when talking to (a person) in order to [[avoid]] discussion of a subject.
3. To [[sideline]]; to push aside; to divert or distract from, reducing (something) to a [[secondary]] or [[subordinate]] position.
4. {{lb|en|intransitive}} To [[deviate]] briefly from the topic at hand.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.