Sidetracked: meaning, definitions and examples

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sidetracked

 

[ หˆsaษชdหŒtrรฆkt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

lose focus

To be sidetracked means to lose focus or to be distracted from the main task or goal. It can happen when something else catches your attention and leads you away from what you were originally doing.

Synonyms

derailed, distracted, diverted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sidetracked

Ideal for casual conversations when someone is temporarily diverted from their planned course of action or topic due to an unexpected interest or event.

  • We were discussing the project details but got sidetracked by a funny story
  • She intended to finish her homework but got sidetracked by a TV show
distracted

Used when someone's attention is divided or they are unable to focus, often due to minor, fleeting interferences.

  • He was distracted by the noise outside the window
  • She finds it hard to work with all the phone notifications distracting her
diverted

Appropriate for situations where there is a redirection from an original path or purpose, often used in neutral or formal contexts.

  • The flight was diverted due to bad weather
  • Funds were diverted to support the new community project
derailed

Best used in more serious contexts where plans or discussions are significantly disrupted, often with substantial negative consequences.

  • The unexpected budget cuts derailed the entire project
  • Their marriage plans were derailed by the sudden family crisis

Examples of usage

  • I was supposed to be studying for my exam, but I got sidetracked by a funny video online.
  • Don't get sidetracked by small details, stay focused on the big picture.

Translations

Translations of the word "sidetracked" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น desviado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคฟเค—เคกเคผเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช abgelenkt

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ teralihkan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฑะธะฒะฐั‚ะธัั ะท ะบัƒั€ััƒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zbaczaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่„‡้“ใซใใ‚Œใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท รฉcartรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ desviado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท saptฤฑrmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํƒˆ์„ ํ•˜๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุญูˆูŠู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ odklonฤ›nรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ odklonenรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ็ฆป

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ odklonjen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ frรกvega

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑาฑั€ั‹ะปัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒ“แƒแƒฎแƒ•แƒ”แƒ•แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sษ™mtini itirmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ desviado

Etymology

The word 'sidetracked' originated from the literal meaning of a train being diverted onto a side track instead of continuing on the main track. Over time, it evolved to represent the idea of being diverted or distracted from a main focus or goal.

See also: backtrack, detractor, sidetrack, track, trackable, trackball, tracker, tracking, tracklist, tracks, trackway.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,088, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.