sidetracked
Americanadjective
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distracted from the main subject, task, course, etc..
Sorry for not replying sooner—I’m an easily sidetracked guy with poor time management.
-
(of a train) moved from the main track to a siding, where it stops temporarily.
Rail officials agreed to move a sidetracked train after local residents complained of the noise, fumes, and vibrations.
verb
Etymology
Origin of sidetracked
First recorded in 1880–85; sidetrack ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; sidetrack ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb sense
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But Ravichandran sees a chance that satellite companies get sidetracked and develop products aimed at deep-pocketed defense customers at the expense of other opportunities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026
The U.S. economy got sidetracked in February by tariff-related price increases, sluggish sales and the previous month’s Winter Storm Fern, but top executives were also more optimistic that business will improve later in the year.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 20, 2026
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 ● Nov. 21, 2025
"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 ● Mar. 8, 2025
I let the sass slide because I was making a point and didn’t want to get sidetracked.
From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
