The phrase "go off tangent" means to divert from the main topic of discussion. Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. "Go" is pronounced as /ɡoʊ/ while "off" is pronounced as /ɒf/. "Tangent" is pronounced as /ˈtændʒənt/. Therefore, the phrase is pronounced as /ˈɡoʊ ɒf ˈtændʒənt/. The spelling of this phrase reflects the American English pronunciation, which differs from British English. Knowing the IPA can help learners understand how different sounds come together to form words.
To "go off tangent" means to deviate from the main topic of discussion or to divert attention to an unrelated or irrelevant subject. It is an expression often used when someone veers off course during a conversation, discourse, or presentation, introducing ideas or discussions that are not directly related to the original topic being discussed or explored.
When a person goes off tangent, it usually disrupts the flow of the conversation or the intended focus of the discussion. This can occur due to various reasons, such as the person's own lack of focus, a sudden thought or idea that they feel the need to share, or simply a tendency to ramble or digress.
The phrase "go off tangent" is commonly used to point out when someone is straying away from the main point or subject, typically with the expectation or intention that the individual will return to the original topic or refocus the conversation. It often requires someone else in the conversation to steer it back on track or remind the speaker of the intended discussion.
Overall, to go off tangent means to tangent, or veer away, from the main subject or theme of a conversation, leading to a temporary diversion that may disrupt the coherence and intended direction of the discussion.