sidetrack

(off) on a sidetrack

1. Addressing a topic or topics not relevant to the main discussion. I tried to address the customer's problem, but she kept going off on a sidetrack and I couldn't understand what her true complaint was. In the middle of our conversation about my finances, my advisor went on a sidetrack about current events.
2. Branching off into some entirely different field, profession, or pursuit. I actually studied and trained as a pianist before going off on a side track into metallurgy. Our company was originally focused on developing new, original games for modern hardware, but about 10 years ago we went on a sidetrack and just kind of became a full-time porting company for other studios.
See also: on, sidetrack
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*off on a sidetrack

Fig. on a digression; discussing a topic that is not the main topic. (Alludes to a train waiting on a siding. *Typically: be ~; get ~; get someone~.) Anne got off on a sidetrack and never returned to her topic. The ineffective committee got off on one sidetrack after another.
See also: off, on, sidetrack
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • (off) on a sidetrack
  • off on a sidetrack
  • go (off) on a tangent
  • go off at a tangent
  • go off on a tangent
  • on a tangent
  • tangent
  • (off) on a tangent
  • fly off at a tangent
  • go/fly off at a tangent
References in periodicals archive
For an operator in the Permian Basin, previous sidetrack attempts with conventional cement plugs failed in the hard formation, requiring multiple trips in the hole and resulting in damaged directional bottomhole assemblies.
WEATHERFORD ANNOUNCES ALPHASTTM WORLD'S FIRST SINGLE-TRIP OPENHOLE CEMENTING AND SIDETRACK SYSTEM
The greater mystery than what a sidetrack agreement is may be what it's even doing in the policy--along with some of the other definitions of "insured contract" that are also pretty obscure, with likely almost no applicability.
The 8 most misunderstood coverage issues in CGL insurance
The sidetrack well encountered a total net pay section of 35 meters (115 feet), including 16 meters (52 feet) of net oil pay in the lower part of the Owo channel system.
Kosmos EnergyEoACAOs Owo-1 Well Makes Significant Discovery Offshore Republic of Ghana
In view of the increased orders' volume, the company is convinced that it will achieve its goal to become a leader on the Russian market for sidetrack drilling services, CEO Manfred Kastner said.
C.A.T. Oil raises orders' volume by 6.5% via services extension
"We're really excited to have Brainstorm Digital and Sidetrack Films join us in DUMBO," said Caroline Thebaud, Associate Director of Leasing for Two Trees.
Two Trees welcomes more film companies to growing movie community in DUMBO
Angus Energy has applied for permission to carry out an appraisal of oil from a 'sidetrack' it drilled in a well in Old School Lane in January 2017, whichSurrey County Councilhas claimed it did not have permission to drill at the time.
Brockham oil well application contradicts firm's press release, says councillor; The application is to maintain a 'sidetrack' in a well and to assess the commercial viability of oil at the site in Old School Lane
Reportedly, a non-commercial gas discovery was made in the main well while the sidetrack was dry.
Lundin Petroleum reports non-commercial gas discovery on the Hufsa prospect
NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-September 23, 2011--Avaldsnes sidetrack confirms oil, Lundin Petroleum says(C)2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m2.com
-Avaldsnes sidetrack confirms oil, Lundin Petroleum says
WesternZagros Resources Ltd (TSX VENTURE:WZR), an international natural resources company, has started drilling the planned sidetrack in the Sarqala-1 well in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
-WesternZagros Resources Ltd starts drilling Sarqala-1 well
The reports claimed the duo wanted to sidetrack an investigation into Red Star's alleged links with organized crime and transfer irregularities.
Football: Red mist at Red Star; WORLD OF FOOTBALL
Sidetrack, Chicago & Roxy, New York City (tie) Either invite 1,200 of your closest friends over for a night of trash TV or meet them all at Sidetrack, Chicago's sleek, supersize video bar (with37 television screens).
2005 Readers' Choice Awards
At the time these works seemed an odd sidetrack from the more expansive and physically straightforward landscape abstractions.
ELLEN PHELAN
Then these substances sidetrack proteins produced as the result of cancer-stimulating genes called oncogenes.
Twist of orange, lavender oil stop cancer
"This is the third successful new well or sidetrack since approval of the 5 year field development plan.
CORRECT (Jun 11): JKX Oil & Gas Continues Ukrainian Development Plan