off the subject

off the subject

Introducing, addressing, or discussing things not relevant to or concerned with the subject at hand. Make sure you don't go off the subject during your lecture, or you'll just confuse your students. This is off the subject a bit, but what do you think about the recent economic trend in the Asian markets?
See also: off, subject
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

off the subject

not concerned with the subject being discussed. I got off the subject and forgot what I was supposed to be talking about. The speaker was off the subject, telling about his vacation in Hawaii.
See also: off, subject
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • drop the subject
  • Drop the subject!
  • freeze (something) into (something)
  • freeze into
  • return to (one's) muttons
  • on approval
  • are your ears burning?
  • light stuff
  • exercise for the reader
  • reader
References in periodicals archive
At first, I was cutting out everything that had to do with exclusion because I thought it was off the subject, but it kept coming in.
Dealing with `bang, bang, you're dead'. (Innovators)
An agenda will also help to keep things focused, rather than straying off the subject.
IS THIS MEETING REALLY NECESSARY?
They're uncalled-for distractions, and often take the reader's mind off the subject. So read your message over one more time.
Business Writing: Tips from a Pro
When Anna Diamantopoulou, Commissioner for Social Affairs, flew East to Japan on March 6 and 7, she kept off the subject of EU-Japan relations, preferring to concentrate on her specialism, social affairs in Europe.
ANNA DIAMANTOPOULOU LECTURES JAPANESE ON EU SOCIAL TRENDS
Are we ever going to get off the subject? "I mean there are 23 men in the squad, we are preparing for the future and we seem to be discussing one man until the cows come home."
BOSS BLASTS BACK ON RIO
He was told he couldn't ask any personal questions and only chat about her first album of new album for 20 years, The Performance If he ventured off the subject, he was warned, the Dame would probably just up and leave or he would be asked to hot foot it.
thefirstword HANNAHJONES
Teenagers are put off the subject because too many lessons focus on Hitler, Ofsted boss David Bell said.
History should be made compulsory
If you keep nagging her and drawing attention to it you might make it worse, so keep off the subject if you can.
Parent Talk
Dunchurch-based Bell reflected on a job well done as he continued to make the most of his opportunities at this level - but he could not keep his mind off the subject of this summer's much-awaited Ashes for long.
BELL IS SET FOR AUSSIE TESTS; CRICKET
Bell reflected on a job well done - but he could not keep his mind off the subject of the Ashes.
Cricket: YOU LITTLE BELL-TER; Bears star targets Ashes
They didn't do liposuction but they did do something horrible with fat which has put me off the subject ever since.
Abbie Wightwick column
First, your parents try to scare you off the subject. Second, you have to look after a child whose father is not around, which makes me wonder whether there was a painful break-up from him.
Sex Talk with Alex
They want to blow the cobwebs off the subject and put some colour on its pages.
Telling tales; The Huddersfields Daily Examiner COMMENT
Teaching physics through 'slightly stale experiments and scribblings on a blackboard' is putting pupils off the subject, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said yesterday.
'Teaching putting kids off physics'
NUse a plain background: A plain background shows off the subject you are photographing.
Put yourself in the picture