meandered off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meandered off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has wandered away or deviated from a path or topic in a casual or aimless manner. Example: "During the meeting, the discussion meandered off into unrelated topics, making it hard to stay focused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Then it meandered off to the left".

The New Yorker

Or would it have meandered off into explanations and the mechanical working-out of plot points?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chonghou meandered off to Britain and New York, before being summoned back to Paris to convey the apology.

The Economist

Get your ball!" the owners yelled, as the dogs meandered off, some following the balls or voice commands, others seemingly on their own missions.

The New York Times - Tech

It had been leaking so long that strangely shaped lakes with the sickly sweet smell of crude oil meandered off into the distance.

The New York Times

Lots of people were making really good groove tracks, but the ideas had generally run out after a minute or so, and without a song or lead line to kick in, the tracks meandered off into something that just isn't going to cut through, especially when played in context with re-edits, where the DJ draws from a history of great music.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Smiling reluctantly, he soon meandered off-piste, like a beloved history teacher, recalling his experiences in the Middle East - a sort of Gerald Durrell without the animals.

HuffPost

He would meander off script and lose the sale.

The New York Times - Magazine

Back down in seventh, Alonso goes meandering off the track, so hard is he pushing.

The Guardian - Sport

Like life, it just rolls along, sometimes funny, sometimes not, sometimes meandering off course.

The Guardian - Film

In less capable hands, huge sonatas like the Liszt B minor can easily meander off track, but Mr. Ohlsson's gifts as a storyteller held the audience spellbound.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meandered off" to describe a casual or aimless deviation, whether physical or in discussion. It suggests a lack of urgency or purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "meandered off" when the context implies a sudden or intentional change of direction. Phrases like "veered off" or "swerved away" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meandered off" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a movement or progression away from a specific point or topic. It suggests a lack of directness or purpose in the departure. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meandered off" is a phrasal verb used to describe a casual, aimless departure, whether physical or metaphorical. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, remember to consider the context to avoid confusing it with more abrupt departures. Alternative phrases include "wandered off" and "drifted away". The phrase is generally neutral in register and suitable for describing a variety of situations where something or someone deviates without a clear purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wandered off

Similar to "meandered off" but can imply a physical or mental wandering.

drifted away

Suggests a gradual and subtle movement away.

strayed away

Implies a more unintentional or accidental departure.

strolled away

Emphasizes a leisurely and casual departure.

veered off

Indicates a change in direction, often abruptly.

sauntered off

Similar to "strolled away", but with a more confident or nonchalant tone.

diverged from

Similar to 'deviated from', emphasizing a separation into different paths.

deviated from

More formal, suggesting a departure from a set course or standard.

swerved away

Suggests a sudden change in direction to avoid something.

toured away

Indicates a slight departure in search of things to see and explore.

FAQs

How can I use "meandered off" in a sentence?

You can use "meandered off" to describe someone or something that has wandered away or deviated from a path or topic in a casual or aimless manner. For example, "The conversation "drifted off" into unrelated topics".

What can I say instead of "meandered off"?

You can use alternatives like "wandered off", "drifted away", or "strayed away" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "meandered off" and "wandered off"?

"Meandered off" implies a more leisurely and aimless departure, while "wandered off" can suggest a physical or mental wandering without a specific destination.

When is it appropriate to use "meandered off"?

Use "meandered off" when you want to convey a sense of casual, unhurried movement or deviation from a topic or path. It's suitable for situations where there's no sense of urgency or specific purpose in the departure.