veer off

USAGE SUMMARY

"veer off" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is generally used when referring to a vehicle or person turning in a different direction away from a set course or path. For example, "The driver veered off the highway onto the side street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Aresco refused to veer off message.

The New York Times - Sports

Two chapters veer off the book's theme.

The New York Times

Where exactly did the badminton players veer off into corruption?

The New York Times - Sports

Tunnels veer off into the darkness and shadows flicker.

Independent

Conversations with Pink tend to veer off course.

The New Yorker

Or perhaps he meant all along to veer off course.

The New Yorker

When did linguistics veer off from people, society, the social?

The New Yorker

CHASE: You mean do we veer off from the plot?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

No player would dare admit that it also causes shots to veer off-target.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, to their credit, most of the performers found ways to veer off-message.

The New York Times - Arts

Commonly used broad-topic chat rooms can often veer off-topic and are noisy," he explains.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "veer off" to describe a conversation, ensure the context makes it clear that the discussion is changing topic unexpectedly or tangentially.

Common error

Avoid using "veer off" to describe something that is already stationary or not actively following a course. This phrase implies a change in direction from an existing path.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "veer off" functions primarily as a verb indicating a change in direction, either literally (as in physical movement) or figuratively (as in a shift in topic or focus). Ludwig examples showcase its diverse applications. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "veer off" is a versatile expression used to describe a change in direction, both literally and figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts. Related phrases include "deviate from" and "stray from", offering nuanced alternatives. Remember to use "veer off" when describing a shift from an existing course, avoiding its application in static contexts. Ludwig's examples further illustrate the diverse applications of this common and useful phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviate from

Indicates a departure from an established course or standard, similar to "veer off" but often implies a more deliberate or significant change.

stray from

Suggests a wandering or unintentional departure, carrying a slightly different connotation than the more direct "veer off".

diverge from

Implies a branching out or separation into different paths, akin to "veer off" but with a sense of separation.

turn aside

Conveys a physical turning away or a shift in focus, resembling "veer off" but often more literal.

swerve away

Suggests a sudden change in direction to avoid something, similar to "veer off" but with an emphasis on the avoidance.

deflect from

Implies a turning away from a direct course or impact, akin to "veer off" in a figurative sense.

depart from

Indicates a formal or significant departure from a standard or path, similar to "veer off" but often more profound.

drift away

Suggests a gradual and subtle departure, differing from the more intentional act of "veer off".

branch off

Conveys the idea of splitting or forking into a new path, like "veer off" but emphasizing the creation of a new route.

break away

Implies a forceful or decisive separation from a course or group, differing from the simple directional change of "veer off".

FAQs

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

You can use "veer off" to describe a change in direction, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The car "veered off" the road" or "The conversation "veered off" topic".

What is a good substitute for "veer off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "deviate from", "stray from", or "diverge from".

Is it correct to use "veer off" to describe a conversation?

Yes, "veer off" can be used figuratively to describe a conversation that changes direction unexpectedly or goes off-topic.

What's the difference between "veer off" and "turn away"?

"Turn away" generally implies a complete rejection or avoidance, whereas "veer off" suggests a change in direction while still potentially progressing forward.