Fly/go off at a tangent
phrase
To suddenly change subject or course of action.
He was talking about his work and then suddenly flew off at a tangent about his dog.
Often appears as...
- suddenly fly off at a tangent
- always go off at a tangent
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To go in a different direction or take a different approach.
The discussion went off at a tangent when we started talking about climate change.
Often appears as...
- discussion went off at a tangent
- project flew off at a tangent
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To suddenly change subject or course of action.
He was talking about his work and then suddenly flew off at a tangent about his dog.
Often appears as...
- suddenly fly off at a tangent
- always go off at a tangent
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To go in a different direction or take a different approach.
The discussion went off at a tangent when we started talking about climate change.
Often appears as...
- discussion went off at a tangent
- project flew off at a tangent
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Shift
The phrase is used when someone abruptly changes the topic or plan, without warning.
Mid-conversation, she flew off at a tangent, discussing her vacation plans.
Pro Tip 2/3Unexpected Topics
When used, it often implies that the new subject is surprisingly different or unrelated.
While discussing taxes, he suddenly went off at a tangent about space travel.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Expression
The phrase is casual and best used in informal conversation or creative writing.
In our book club, discussions often fly off at a tangent and become very lively.
Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Shift
The phrase is used when someone abruptly changes the topic or plan, without warning.
Mid-conversation, she flew off at a tangent, discussing her vacation plans.
Pro Tip 2/3Unexpected Topics
When used, it often implies that the new subject is surprisingly different or unrelated.
While discussing taxes, he suddenly went off at a tangent about space travel.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Expression
The phrase is casual and best used in informal conversation or creative writing.
In our book club, discussions often fly off at a tangent and become very lively.
Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Shift
The phrase is used when someone abruptly changes the topic or plan, without warning.
Mid-conversation, she flew off at a tangent, discussing her vacation plans.
Pro Tip 2/3Unexpected Topics
When used, it often implies that the new subject is surprisingly different or unrelated.
While discussing taxes, he suddenly went off at a tangent about space travel.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Expression
The phrase is casual and best used in informal conversation or creative writing.
In our book club, discussions often fly off at a tangent and become very lively.
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