put off the track

put (one) off the track

To misdirect one away from their pursuit; to steer one's investigation or suspicions in the wrong direction. The mafia accountant managed to put the authorities off the track of the mob's money laundering for years, but they finally caught up with him after an anonymous source tipped them off. That outlier data put me off the track for a while, but I think my research is back on solid ground now.
See also: off, put, track
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put someone off the track

 and put someone off the trail
to cause someone to lose a trail that is being followed. (See also put someone off the scent; throw someone off the track.) A distraction put me off the track and I almost got lost in the jungle. I was following an escaped convict and something put me off the trail.
See also: off, put, track
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • put (one) off the track
  • put (one) off the trail
  • throw (one) off the scent
  • throw (one) off the track
  • throw off the track
  • throw someone off the scent
  • throw (someone) off the trail
  • pull the wool over eyes
  • pull the wool over somebody's eyes
  • pull the wool over someone's eyes
References in periodicals archive
In 2011, the PIA suffered a loss of Rs 1.5 billion per month while Pakistan Railways also faced huge losses on many counts and a number of trains were either permanently put off the track or temporarily disbanded.
2011 termed worst for trade, industry
The Aintree second favourite was put off the track for 42 days after the stewards ruled that he had been schooled in public at Naas on Sunday when he finished last of seven.
HORSE RACING: MARTIN MAY FIGHT FOR LAD; Appeal talks on Aintree ban
GHOST hunters were put off the track by Scotland's national drink.
Mix-up over spirits festival