Suchen
to go off on a tangent
01
to begin talking about a subject that is not in any way related to the original topic that is being discussed
![to [go] off on a tangent definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/46081/original/?type=jpeg "to [go] off on a tangent definition and meaning")
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "go off on a tangent" and when to use it?
The idiom "go off on a tangent" likely originates from the geometric concept of a tangent line, which touches a curve at a single point without intersecting it further. It is used to emphasize the idea that the person has deviated from the main topic and is now exploring a related or unrelated idea or subject.
Beispiel
While discussing the book's central theme, she went off on a tangent about the author's background and other unrelated topics.
The speaker was supposed to discuss the company's growth strategy, but he went off on a tangent about his personal experiences, leaving the audience perplexed.
She went off on a tangent about what happened to her last summer.
During the meeting, the manager went off on a tangent and started talking about unrelated projects, which confused everyone.
