off the track

Idioms  

1. Away from one's objective, train of thought, or a sequence of events, It is often put as, as in Your question has gotten me off the track, or The interruption threw Mom off the track and she forgot what she'd already put into the stew. This term comes from railroading, where it means “derailed.” Its figurative use was first recorded in 1875.

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Example Sentences

Now he’s pulled off the track equivalent with the announcement that 2024 Olympian Quincy Wilson, from Bullis School in Potomac, Md., is coming on April 11 to compete at the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

The front of the car lost grip, and kept losing grip, and Norris had to abort to prevent going off the track.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2025

The virtual safety car was when Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto crashed and then pulled off the track.

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2025

Verstappen took the racing line, appearing to flick his car towards Norris, and the McLaren went off the track into the run-off area and slipped to sixth.

From BBC • May 4, 2025

"And don't forget, if you win, you gotta strut off the track like Mary."

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds