0 to direct a person's attention away from an activity or subject towards another one that is less important: --
1 the act of sidetracking someone, or an example of this: --
Letters are different to a conversation because you can continue without being interrupted with some sidetrack.
I'm dealing with the points in order, but I keep going off on a sidetrack.
2 a short track where trains are kept when they are not being used: --
3 a second oil well that is made on one side of the original oil well: --
4 to direct (someone) away from an activity or subject toward another one that is often less important: --
I shall not be sidetracked on that point as it was not a finite decision at the time.
Instead, negotiations had dragged on for years and were being used to sidetrack and leave in the background getting down to the question of disarmament.
That was a very important matter, and it was not one which was sidetracked in any way.
One should not be too sidetracked by individual episodes, because principles are at stake, but one should know what one is talking about.
I would rather not get sidetracked on to individual prices at this particular moment.
I am disappointed that the debate has again been sidetracked by the red herrings involving the horrors of breast and lung cancer.
I hesitated because we had been rather sidetracked from our original purpose.
But these are details which must not sidetrack us from the simple fact that if we want to educate our children it will cost money.
