Meaning of Sidetrack | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches 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 railroad siding.
2. Any auxiliary railroad track, as differentiated from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track.
   sometimes
3. 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.

Equivalents

Examples

“Stay⟳ focused on the story; you keep⟳ getting lost in all of these little sidetracks.”

“"However, I am down a side-track. What I wanted to say⟳ to you is that you must not take⟳ Bolsover's little spirit circus too seriously."”

CEFR level