sidetrack

Noun

1. 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. 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.

Verb

1. To divert (a locomotive or train) 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.
3. To sideline; to push aside; to divert or distract from, reducing (something) to a secondary or subordinate position.
4. (intransitive) To deviate briefly from the topic at hand.

Etymology

From side + track.

Synonyms

siding

depart

turn away

turnout

railroad siding

divert

deflect

avert

straggle

digress

equivocate

evade

maunder

obstruct

override

prevaricate

prevent

push aside

put aside

roam

set aside

shelve

shift

shunt

sideline

sidestep

side track

spur

stand aside

swerve

shlep

traipse

aberrate

ward off

mill about

turn aside

spur track

twist

alienate

avoid

bar

bend

branch line

discard

dodge

drift

elude