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.

What is the origin of the idiom "go off on a tangent" and when to use it?

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to [go] off on a tangent

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Definitie en betekenis van "go off on a tangent"in het Engels

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