# take a tangent

**Pronunciation:** /teɪk ə ˈtændʒənt/ · TAYK uh TAN-junt

**Part of speech:** verb phrase

## Meaning

Depart from the primary subject of a conversation or argument to discuss something unrelated.

## Examples

- She often takes a tangent when she gets excited about a minor detail in the story.
- Please try not to take a tangent during the meeting so we can finish on time.
- The speaker took a tangent that lasted ten minutes before returning to the original point.

## Synonyms

- digress — A more formal and precise term for wandering off-topic.
- stray — Implies moving away from the intended path or subject.
- deviate — Suggests a deliberate or noticeable shift from a set course.
- wander — Focuses on the aimless nature of the shift in topic.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/take%20a%20tangent

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