sidetrack
Divert from course
Sidetrack originally meant a railroad track branching off the main line, used to divert trains temporarily.
The figurative sense now dominates: to sidetrack is to divert attention from a main purpose or topic.
Don't let minor issues sidetrack the discussion.
I got sidetracked and forgot to call.
A sidetrack is such a diversion.
Divert someone's attention
- divertCause to change course
- deflectTurn from course
- digressStray from the topic
- tangentLine touching curve once
deviate · wander · stray · mislead · redirect · interrupt · disrupt · preoccupy
distract
Divert someone's attention
tangent · deviate · wander · stray · mislead · redirect · interrupt · disrupt · preoccupy · lose focus
siding
Exterior wall covering
junction · branch line · turnout · freight · rail spur · coupling · boxcar · locomotive · depot · mainline
postpone
Delay to later time
stall · hold up · put aside · backburner · suspend · pause · interrupt · obstruct · impede · hinder
- Off Tracklost, tangent, digression, veer, stray
- distractionsdistraction, digression, tangent, diversion, deflection
- digressionsdigression, tangent, aside, ramble, wander
- directional drillingdirectional drilling, horizontal drilling, trajectory, inclination, azimuth
- drillingdrill bit, drill rig, drill site, driller, bore hole
- railroad slanghogger, highball, gandy dancer, boomer, crummy
sidetrackfocus
Concentrated attention point
stay on track · concentrate · stay focused · keep one's eye on the ball · stay the course
sidetrackadvance
Move or progress forward
press on · stay the course · forge ahead · push forward · proceed