The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word SIDETRACK
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
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D
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K
More clues leading to the result SIDETRACK
- Divert sports team approaching course
- Two features of old record are misleading
- Divert silicon carried up with potassium
- Shelve recorded music supporting team
- Bit of railway in Lake District unfortunately not lit
- Divert footpath?
- Distract from right path
- Distract team on course
- Lit out from Lake District — if confused, divert
- Turn aside, having frantically tried to break up fire
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Turn aside" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case turn aside = sidetrack.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SIDETRACK mean?
SIDETRACK noun- A second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding.
- (sometimes) Any auxiliary railroad track, as differentiated from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track.
- A smaller tunnel or well drilled as an auxiliary off a main tunnel or well.
- An alternate train of thought, issue, topic, or activity, that is a deviation or distraction from the topic at hand or central activity, and secondary or subordinate in importance or effectiveness.
- To divert (a locomotive or train) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.
- To divert or distract (someone) from a main issue or course of action with an alternate or less relevant topic or activity; or, to use deliberate trickery or sly wordplay when talking to (a person) in order to avoid discussion of a subject.
- To sideline; to push aside; to divert or distract from, reducing (something) to a secondary or subordinate position.
- To deviate briefly from the topic at hand.