Sidetracking

Sidetracking refers to the act of diverting someone or something from their intended course or objective. It involves introducing an irrelevant topic, activity, or distraction that causes a shift in focus, delaying progress or changing the original plan. This diversion can be intentional, such as in a negotiation tactic, or unintentional, arising from a lack of concentration or external disruptions. It can apply to projects, conversations, or even the pursuit of personal goals, and is generally seen as a hindrance, though occasionally, it can lead to new discoveries.

Sidetracking meaning with examples

• During the project meeting, the team got completely sidetracked by a lengthy discussion about office coffee, which had nothing to do with the urgent deadline. This unplanned tangent caused valuable time loss, delaying the core project's development.
• Her attempts at studying were constantly sidetracked by notifications on her phone. Each social media update was a significant interruption. To combat this, she activated 'Do Not Disturb' on her devices to maintain focus.
• In the court case, the defense lawyer employed sidetracking, introducing irrelevant details of the victim's life to confuse the jury and divert attention from the crucial evidence about the defendant.
• While planning the road trip, they were sidetracked by the appealing pictures of a local amusement park and suddenly changed the entire travel plan to accommodate this attraction instead, significantly diverging from their initial destination.