veer off track

USAGE SUMMARY

"veer off track" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or conversation that has started to deviate from an intended course. Example sentence: "During the discussion, the conversation started to veer off track and the meeting ended without a resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Mr. Cantor does not appear eager to directly challenge Mr. Boehner's leadership, but he wants to be in the right spot if things veer off track for the speaker.

The New York Times

Businesses fail, careers veer off track, people change, love transforms, money goes.

Huffington Post

To increase your motivation, they use nudges or even levy small financial penalties when you veer off track.

Harvard Business Review

Those who were hoping the hurricane would suddenly veer off track, side-stepping the city, appear to be out of luck.

The New York Times

Some researchers have experimented with planar robots devices that can guide a patient's hands along certain trajectories, mechanically pushing them in the right direction when they veer off track.

University of Pennsylvania

Less attention is paid to how many of today's high school seniors will emerge a few years down the line with diplomas in hand, and what might cause them to veer off track.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"We do not consider the consolidation program to have fundamentally veered off track," Nick Kojucharov, a Goldman Sachs analyst, wrote in a recent research note, "and we do not think the government will be cut off from its assistance money".

The New York Times

Schumacher was running in second behind the Brazilian when his Williams veered off track on the seventh lap, and Brundle, who remains extremely fond of the three-time world champion – remarked that the situation regarding Schumacher is all too familiar.

Independent

The goal, the official said, was "to engage in that dialogue and to avoid the kind of confrontation that could potentially lead to the transition veering off track," while leaving the military's decree taking over Parliament's powers as a matter for Egyptians courts and politicians to decide.

The New York Times

The story veers off track, and Rokesh can't cleanly execute the wild tonal shifts and haphazard story beats.

Los Angeles Times

If your interviewer sees you making an obvious mistake or veering off track, they'll try and point you in the right direction.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "veer off track" to describe situations where a project, plan, or discussion begins to deviate from its intended course. It effectively conveys the idea of an unintended or unplanned departure.

Common error

Avoid using "veer off track" when a planned detour or change of course is intended. The phrase implies an unplanned or unwanted deviation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "veer off track" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a deviation from an intended path, plan, or topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for general use. Examples show it commonly depicts projects, discussions, or even vehicles straying from their intended course.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

14%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "veer off track" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to describe a deviation from an intended course. As Ludwig AI points out, it fits various contexts, particularly when referring to projects, discussions, or plans that stray from their original intent. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase is versatile enough for academic and professional settings. To maintain clarity, it's best to use this phrase when describing unplanned deviations and avoid it when a change of course is deliberate. Alternatives such as ""deviate from the course"" or ""get sidetracked"" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviate from the course

Focuses on the act of straying from a set path or plan, similar to "veer off track".

stray from the path

Emphasizes the departure from a literal or figurative path, implying a loss of direction.

go astray

Suggests a more severe deviation, often implying a negative outcome.

get sidetracked

Highlights the distraction aspect, where attention is diverted to something else.

lose focus

Centers on the inability to maintain concentration on the intended task.

drift off course

Implies a gradual and unintentional departure from the intended direction.

get off topic

Specifically refers to conversations or discussions that move away from the main subject.

go off on a tangent

Indicates a sudden and often unexpected shift to a related but distinct topic.

wander from the subject

Suggests a meandering departure from the main topic, often lacking clear direction.

digress from the point

Emphasizes a temporary departure from the main point or argument being made.

FAQs

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

You can use "veer off track" to describe a plan, discussion, or action that deviates from its intended course. For example, "The project started to "veer off track" when unexpected complications arose."

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

Alternatives include "deviate from the course", "stray from the path", or "get sidetracked". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative when something "veers off track"?

Generally, "veer off track" carries a negative connotation, implying an unwanted or problematic deviation. However, occasionally it can be neutral if the deviation leads to unexpected positive outcomes.

Which is correct, "veer off track" or "stray off track"?

Both "veer off track" and "stray off track" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context. But "veer off track" is more frequently used.