stray off topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stray off topic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the conversation has changed to a different subject than the original one. For example, "We were talking about the new project, but we seem to have strayed off topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That includes asking them rhetorically, "Are you stupid?" when they stray off topic at press conferences: Christie occasionally deployed his special brand of candor for the public good.

The Guardian

It would be easy to stray off topic to get an easy laugh, but this show admirably resists.

The New York Times

Today Facebook rolled out a limited redesign of Groups, featuring a big new Timeline-style cover image, and a prompt for users to prominently label "What should people post in this group?" See, if you're not careful, your intimate Facebook Groups can balloon in population and stray off topic generating annoying notifications for everyone.

TechCrunch

The free spirit with an engaging manner and unfiltered mind might occasionally stray off topic during the course of a freewheeling one-hour conversation.

Huffington Post

Be on your task, and don't stray off topic on tangents!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst halted her speech, claiming she had strayed off-topic, and had received unauthorised assistance fitting a back-brace to help her stay upright.

Independent

With less than two hours to go before the midnight deadline, she was finally silenced when Republicans challenged her on a "three strikes and you're out" rule, claiming she had violated regulations by twice straying off-topic and by allowing a colleague to help her with a back brace.

The Guardian

Straying off topic could violate Senate rules, and three violations would effectively end his filibuster.

The New York Times

A third violation, for straying off topic, was sustained by Mr. Dewhurst at 10 p.m., nearly 11 hours after the filibuster began, causing opponents of the bill in the upstairs gallery to erupt in boos and jeers.

The New York Times

I am naturally one of life's procrastinators but I have found that in my research this is not the case; I get a lot of work done in a short space of time and am usually able to avoid straying off topic – something that I attribute to never having a great deal of time to spend on my PhD work.

The Guardian

This blog post titled "What is it like living in Ulaanbaatar?" and might seem to have strayed off topic.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain focus in discussions, create an agenda beforehand and gently steer conversations back on track if participants "stray off topic".

Common error

Ensure digressions are pertinent to the main discussion. Irrelevant tangents can derail conversations and diminish the value of the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stray off topic" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deviation from the main subject of a conversation, discussion, or piece of writing. Ludwig confirms its validity, showcasing its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stray off topic" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe deviations from the main subject in discussions or writings. As Ludwig highlights, it's versatile and applicable across diverse contexts, from news reports to academic papers. Related phrases like "go off on a tangent" or "digress" offer similar meanings, while understanding its function can help in maintaining focused and productive conversations. Avoiding irrelevant tangents is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Get off track

Suggests losing focus and deviating from the intended path.

Go off on a tangent

An idiomatic expression indicating a sudden deviation from the main subject.

Get sidetracked

Implies being diverted from the original focus.

Digress

A single-word verb that means to move away from the main subject.

Wander from the subject

Suggests a gradual departure from the main topic.

Depart from the subject

Similar to "wander from the subject", but can imply a more abrupt change.

Deviate from the matter at hand

A more formal way of saying "stray off topic".

Go astray

A more general term for deviating, but can be used in the context of a conversation or plan.

Lose focus

Indicates a general lack of concentration, leading to a deviation from the topic.

Get distracted

Suggests an external influence causing the deviation.

FAQs

How can I prevent a conversation from straying off topic?

To keep a conversation focused, use techniques like summarizing key points, setting time limits for each topic, and gently redirecting the discussion when it begins to "go off on a tangent".

What's the difference between "stray off topic" and ""go off on a tangent""?

"Stray off topic" is a more general phrase for deviating from the main subject, while ""go off on a tangent"" implies a sudden and often unexpected shift in the conversation.

What can I say instead of "stray off topic"?

Alternatives include "digress", "get sidetracked", or "wander from the subject", depending on the context.

How to use "stray off topic" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The meeting was productive until we began to "stray off topic" and discuss unrelated matters."