off the track

Idioms  

1. Away from one's objective, train of thought, or a sequence of events, It is often put as, as in Your question has gotten me off the track, or The interruption threw Mom off the track and she forgot what she'd already put into the stew. This term comes from railroading, where it means “derailed.” Its figurative use was first recorded in 1875.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

off the track

On Thursday, the athlete issued an apology on Instagram, saying she regrets not stepping off the track.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

His friend Javier, a PhD engineering student, barely takes his eyes off the track.

From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026

"It just feels phenomenal to be back in a better place, just healthy mentally, physically and emotionally," said Richardson, who has had troubles off the track.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

A title favorite this year from Unitree, one of China’s top humanoid-robot makers, collapsed several times and was taken off the track on a stretcher, leaving the race unfinished.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 20, 2026

Gasping and humiliated, he ran straight off the track and hid under the bleachers.

From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand