sidetrack

[ sahyd-trak ]

/ ˈsaɪdˌtræk /

to move from the main track to a siding, as a train.

to move or distract from the main subject or course.

any railroad track, other than a siding, auxiliary to the main track.

Origin of sidetrack

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; side¹ + track

Next to you is a signal switch that will divert the train down a sidetrack or “spur.”

Would You Kill the Fat Man? And Other Conundrums |Robert Herritt |December 6, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
As the train was standing on the sidetrack at Watertown Junction it created considerable curiosity.

Peck's Sunshine |George W. Peck
For the army London is on a sidetrack—is an out of the way place.

The Life and Letters of Walter H. Page, Volume II |Burton J. Hendrick
He'll be coming around to offer to sidetrack that legislation if you'll let him build his railroad.

Scattergood Baines |Clarence Budington Kelland

Warring factions all about him, who tried in many ways to sidetrack him, failed in every attempt.

Crayon and Character: Truth Made Clear Through Eye and Ear |B.J. Griswold
Here on a sidetrack we found small coal-burning engines ready to help us over, small driving wheels but capable of great power.

An Artilleryman's Diary |Jenkin Lloyd Jones

sidetrack

/ (ˈsaɪdˌtræk) /

to distract or be distracted from a main subject or topic

US and Canadian a railway siding

the act or an instance of sidetracking; digression