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Divert vs Sidetrack - What's the difference?

divert | sidetrack |

As verbs the difference between divert and sidetrack

is that divert is to turn aside from a course while sidetrack is to divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.

As a noun sidetrack is

(rail transport) 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.

divert

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To turn aside from a course.
    • The workers diverted the stream away from the road.
  • * Milton
    • that crude apple that diverted Eve
  • To distract.
    • Don't let him divert your attention; keep your eye on the ball.
  • To entertain or amuse (by diverting the attention)
  • * C. J. Smith
    • We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy.
  • (obsolete) To turn aside; to digress.
    • I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces. — Evelyn.

    Synonyms

    * (to lead away from a course) offlead

    Related terms

    * diversion * diversity * diverse

    External links

    * *

    sidetrack

    English

    Alternative forms

    * side-track', ' side track

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (rail transport) 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.
  • (sometimes) Any auxiliary railroad track, as differentiated from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track.
  • (mining) A smaller tunnel or well drilled as an auxiliary off a main tunnel or well.
  • 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.
    • Stay focused on the story; you keep getting lost in all of these little sidetracks .

    Synonyms

    railroad siding, siding, lay-by (UK)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.
  • 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.
    • Sorry I'm late. I got sidetracked with contributing to Wiktionary.
    The politician sidetracked the reporter with a story about duck hunting instead of a direct response to the question that was asked.
    I hope you can sidetrack the teacher with questions so we don't have to take the exam.
  • To sideline; to push aside; to divert or distract from, reducing (something) to a secondary or subordinate position.
    • The project was sidetracked in favor of a more popular program.
    He has sidetracked this debate for far too long.
  • To deviate briefly from the topic at hand.
    • Just to sidetrack a little bit from the subject I will explain my reasoning.
    To sidetrack for a moment, let me commend this team for their outstanding efforts.

    Synonyms

    * (deviate from the topic at hand) digress

    Anagrams

    *