sidetrack

• side-track, side track

side +‎ track

sidetrack (plural sidetracks)

1. (rail transport) 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. (sometimes) Any auxiliary railroad track, as differentiated from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track.
3. (mining) 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.

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

• (small railroad track for unloading, passing): railroad siding, siding, lay-by (UK)

sidetrack (third-person singular simple present sidetracks, present participle sidetracking, simple past and past participle sidetracked)

1. To divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.
2. To divert or distract (someone) from a main issue or course of action with an alternate or less relevant topic or activity; or, to use deliberate trickery or sly wordplay when talking to (a person) in order to avoid discussion of a subject.

   Sorry I'm late. I got sidetracked helping my friend move some furniture.

   The politician sidetracked the reporter with a story about duck hunting instead of a direct response to the question that was asked.

   I hope you can sidetrack the teacher with questions so we don't have to take the exam.

3. To sideline; to push aside; to divert or distract from, reducing (something) to a secondary or subordinate position.

   The project was sidetracked in favor of a more popular program.

   He has sidetracked this debate for far too long.

4. (intransitive) To deviate briefly from the topic at hand.

   Just to sidetrack a little bit from the subject I will explain my reasoning.

   To sidetrack for a moment, let me commend this team for their outstanding efforts.

• (deviate from the topic at hand): digress

• Kardecist, dirt cakes, trackside