off track

USAGE SUMMARY

"off track" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to an action, statement, plan, etc., that is not going as intended or desired. Example: We got off track with our original plans, so we had to go back and start over.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"It's very off track".

The New York Times - Arts

We're getting off track!

The New Yorker

That was when things went off track.

The New Yorker

"The food got off track".

The New York Times

Won the Travers on an off track.

The New York Times - Sports

He's never run on an off track.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

If the phone is turned off, tracking stops.

The New York Times - Tech

"There is a fine line with off tracks," Brothers said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Off-track," they warned.

The New York Times

The off-track intimidation continues.

The New York Times - Sports

Control of off-track betting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "off track" to indicate a deviation from a planned route, objective, or topic. It's versatile and can apply to various contexts, from personal goals to project management.

Common error

Ensure you're not accidentally using "off track" when you mean "on track". "On track" indicates progress is being made as planned, the opposite of "off track".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off track" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of deviation from a planned course or expected outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that "off track" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "off track" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations deviating from a planned course or expected outcome. As Ludwig AI notes, it is correct and usable in written English. It is versatile and appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "off track", ensure that you are clearly conveying a sense of divergence from an intended path, and consider alternatives like "deviated from the plan" or "gone astray" to fine-tune your meaning. While the phrase itself is straightforward, carefully consider whether you actually mean the opposite, "on track".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviated from the plan

Emphasizes a departure from an established plan or strategy.

strayed from the course

Highlights a wandering or unintentional deviation from a set path.

gone astray

Implies a loss of direction or purpose, often with negative connotations.

veered off course

Suggests a sudden or deliberate change in direction.

wandered from the point

Focuses on digressing from the central topic or argument.

got sidetracked

Highlights being distracted or diverted by something unexpected.

lost focus

Emphasizes a decline in concentration or attention.

derailed

Implies a more significant and disruptive deviation, often leading to failure.

missed the mark

Indicates a failure to achieve the desired outcome or goal.

gone off tangent

Emphasizes a sudden, and sometimes irrelevant, shift in topic or direction.

FAQs

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

You can use "off track" to describe a situation where something isn't progressing as planned. For example, "The project went "off track" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What's a good alternative to saying "off track"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "deviated from the plan", "gone astray", or "got sidetracked".

Is it grammatically correct to say "get off track"?

Yes, "get off track" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It means to deviate from the intended course or plan.

What does it mean when someone says a project is "off track"?

It means the project is not progressing according to the original plan or schedule. Corrective actions may be needed to get it "back on track".