tangent
Definitions
A straight line that touches a curve at a single point without crossing it
切线（与曲线只在一点相切而不相交的直线）
A sudden change to a different, unrelated line of thought or topic
离题，岔开的话题
Touching a curve at a point; only loosely connected to the matter at hand
相切的；扯远了的、关系不大的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedtang (touch) + -ent = 'touching.' In geometry a tangent line just grazes a curve at one point — it touches but does not cut through. The figurative sense follows the same picture: when you 'go off on a tangent,' your mind leaves the main curve of the conversation at a single point and shoots off in its own direction.
Root tact still carries 52 more wordsWhy It Means This
Tangent is a rare case where the math meaning and the everyday meaning share one clear image. A tangent line and a curve touch at exactly one point, then separate forever. So when someone's speech 'goes off on a tangent,' they touched the topic for a moment and then veered away — never coming back to the main line.
Common Collocations
- 1.go off on a tangent扯远了，离题
- 2.fly off at a tangent突然转移话题
- 3.tangent line切线
- 4.draw a tangent作切线
Example Sentences
- 1.
The teacher drew a tangent touching the circle at exactly one point.
- 2.
He went off on a tangent about his childhood and forgot the question.
- 3.
Her remark felt tangent to the real issue we needed to solve.