The phrase "strayed off topic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a conversation or piece of writing that has deviated from the main subject.
Example: "During the meeting, we strayed off topic and ended up discussing unrelated issues."
Alternatives: "went off on a tangent" or "deviated from the subject."
This blog post titled "What is it like living in Ulaanbaatar?" and might seem to have strayed off topic.
Forming a triangle by touching thumb to thumb and index finger to index finger informs speakers at the G.A. that they have strayed off topic.
UPDATE: 11 10 p.m. -- Republicans used a point of order to cut off the filibuster, arguing that Davis had strayed off topic by mentioning ultrasounds.
Several residents noted that small group meetings were not as effective as large group discussions, and that small group conversations frequently strayed off topic (Additional file 1: Table S3).
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.
For those of you who complain when I stray off topic, tomorrow I'll be back to the semi-serious job of political commentary.
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.
Straying off topic could violate Senate rules, and three violations would effectively end his filibuster.
It would be easy to stray off topic to get an easy laugh, but this show admirably resists.
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.
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.
