go off on a tangent

Definition & Meaning of "[go] off on a tangent"

to go off on a tangent

to begin talking about a subject that is not in any way related to the original topic that is being discussed

What 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.

Example

During the meeting, the manager went off on a tangent and started talking about unrelated projects, which confused everyone.

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.