topic

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be off topic

To be discussing or addressing a topic not relevant to the main discussion. I'm sorry—I'm off topic again! I just know so many interesting facts related to this issue. Your essay is good overall, but it was a little off topic to bring up Disney World in a paper about 19th-century literature.

dance around

1. To dance freely and energetically. I love turning on some music and dancing around with the kids.

2. To move around some place while dancing. My mom always had the radio cranked up high, dancing around the house as she did housework.

3. To avoid or evade talking about some issue or topic directly or at all. He always dances around the topic of pay raises for my team whenever I bring it up to him. When asked about his role in the scandal, the CEO danced around the issue with a longwinded non sequitur about his loyalty to his company and its customers.

drop the topic

Stop discussing this subject at once. Yes, I was late today—can we just drop the topic now? I don't want to talk about my ex anymore! Drop the topic already!

get off topic

1. To begin discussing or addressing a topic not relevant to the main discussion. I tried to address the customer's problem, but she kept getting off topic so frequently that I couldn't understand what her actual complaint was. In the middle of our conversation about my finances, my advisor got off topic and started ranting about local politics. Your essay is good overall, but it gets a little off topic on page seven. Is Disney World really relevant in a paper about 19th-century literature?

2. To cause someone to begin discussing or addressing a topic not relevant to the main discussion. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "get" and "off." I know you're interested in my time traveling through Russia, but if you don't stop getting me off topic, we'll never finish this lesson! Her flippant remark sparked an intense argument that got the whole class off topic.

go off topic

To begin discussing or addressing a topic not relevant to the main discussion. I tried to address the customer's problem, but she kept going off topic so frequently that I couldn't understand what her actual complaint was. In the middle of our conversation about my finances, my advisor went off topic and started ranting about local politics. Your essay is good overall, but it goes a little off topic on page seven. Is Disney World really relevant in a paper about 19th-century literature?

hot topic

A topic that is being discussed by a large number of people, especially one that engenders a very passionate, emotionally charged response. The latest hot topic in the world of video games is the idea of digital distribution replacing physical media. The issue of gentrification has been a hot topic in this part of town for years, as it has forced many long-time residents and local businesses out of the area.

hot-button topic

An issue or subject that is highly politicized or emotionally charged. Primarily heard in US. Wealth redistribution is a hot-button topic on both sides of the political aisle this election season. The topic of gentrification has been a hot-button topic in this part of town for years, as it has forced many long-time residents and local businesses out of the area. The latest hot-button topic in the world of video games is the idea of digital distribution replacing physical media.

off topic

Introducing, addressing, or discussing things not relevant to or concerned with the subject at hand. Sometimes hyphenated (always if used immediately before a noun). Make sure you don't go off topic during your lecture, or you'll just confuse your students. This is off-topic a bit, but what do you think about the recent economic trend in the Asian markets? My father always includes this off-topic remarks whenever he tells a story, and it just drags the whole thing out for what feels like an eternity.

*off topic

not on the topic of discussion; far from the general subject of a discussion; not part of the purpose of a particular communication channel, such as an Internet newsgroup. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; get someone ~.) The boys in the back of the room just love to get the teacher off topic.