sidetrack

American  

[sahyd-trak] / ˈsaɪdˌtræk /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to move or distract from the main subject or course.

2. to move from the main track to a siding, as a train.

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noun

1. any railroad track, other than a siding, that is auxiliary to the main track.

2. a path, position, project, topic, etc., of less importance than the main one.

   On a sidetrack to this thread on workplace safety, let me just say a little about office footwear.

sidetrack British  

/ ˈsaɪdˌtræk /

verb

1. to distract or be distracted from a main subject or topic

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noun

1. a railway siding

2. the act or an instance of sidetracking; digression

Etymology

Origin of sidetrack

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; side ¹ + track

Example Sentences

A third said they migrated to the U.S. to further their education but got sidetracked as business opportunities arose, and 20% said they had hoped to achieve the American dream through work opportunities.

From Los Angeles Times

This, of course, means he can also get easily sidetracked, but it’s “one of the beauties of making music on your own.”

From Los Angeles Times

"My ambition was not to be a music photographer, my ambition was to be a war photographer - but I got a sidetracked in a great way," he says.

From BBC

“He had the ambition and the drive to do something great and not get sidetracked or settle for less,” says Campbell.

From Los Angeles Times

"I suppose you don't want to get overly emotional and make it too big a thing and get sidetracked from the main objective," Doris said of the legendary trio's home swansong.

From BBC