# sidetracked

/ˈsaɪdˌtɹækt/ (US) · /sˈaɪdtɹækt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sidetracked
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

pulled away from what you were doing by something interesting or urgent. You use it when you lose focus and start doing something else.

For teachers: diverted from an intended task, discussion, or train of thought by an interruption or distraction. Typically used predicatively after 'be' or 'get'.

## Examples

- I get sidetracked by my phone when I study.
- She starts cleaning the kitchen but gets sidetracked sorting old photos for an hour.
- Sidetracked by a minor email thread, the committee lost an hour before returning to the budget proposal.

## Synonyms

distracted

## Antonyms

focused

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.