The difference between Lay-by and Sidetrack
When used as nouns, lay-by means a paved area at the side of a highway designated for drivers to stop in, for emergency parking, or where vehicles can wait, with larger lay-bys possibly having facilities like food vendors or public telephones, whereas sidetrack means 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).
Sidetrack is also verb with the meaning: to divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.
check bellow for the other definitions of Lay-by and Sidetrack
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Lay-by as a noun (UK):
A paved area at the side of a highway designated for drivers to stop in, for emergency parking, or where vehicles can wait, with larger lay-bys possibly having facilities like food vendors or public telephones.
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Lay-by as a noun (UK):
A railroad siding; a second, short railroad track just to the side of a railroad track, connected with the main track by a switch and used for unloading, bypassing, etc.
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Lay-by as a noun (nautical):
A widened section of a narrow river or canal, formed to one side so as to leave the channel free, for mooring of vessels, where vessels can lay over or allow others to pass.
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Lay-by as a noun (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa):
A method of retail purchase in which the selected goods are set aside and the customer pays for them in instalments, receiving them when fully paid; layaway.
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Sidetrack as a noun (rail transport):
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.
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Sidetrack as a noun:
(sometimes) Any auxiliary railroad track, as differentiated from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track.
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Sidetrack as a noun (mining):
A smaller tunnel or well drilled as an auxiliary off a main tunnel or well.
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Sidetrack as a noun:
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.
Examples:
"Stay focused on the story; you keep getting lost in all of these little sidetracks."
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Sidetrack as a verb:
To divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.
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Sidetrack as a verb:
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.
Examples:
"Sorry I'm late. I got sidetracked helping my friend move some furniture."
"The politician sidetracked the reporter with a story about duck hunting instead of a direct response to the question that was asked."
"I hope you can sidetrack the teacher with questions so we don't have to take the exam."
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Sidetrack as a verb:
To sideline; to push aside; to divert or distract from, reducing (something) to a secondary or subordinate position.
Examples:
"The project was sidetracked in favor of a more popular program."
"He has sidetracked this debate for far too long."
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Sidetrack as a verb (intransitive):
To deviate briefly from the topic at hand.
Examples:
"Just to sidetrack a little bit from the subject I will explain my reasoning."
"To sidetrack for a moment, let me commend this team for their outstanding efforts."