distract

Everyday

1. To take someone's attention away from what they should be doing or looking at. tree →
2. To make someone stop thinking about something sad or painful by getting them interested in something else. tree →

In the lessons

In school, phones, noise and chatting distract you from learning. In safety, drivers and cyclists must not be distracted; never distract a driver or someone crossing a road, and put your phone away when crossing. Tricksters and pickpockets sometimes distract people to steal. Phrases: «distract someone from», «get distracted», «easily distracted».

Examples

• The noise outside distracted me from my maths. tree →
• Don't distract the bus driver. tree →
• I get distracted when the TV is on. tree →
• Dad distracted the baby with a toy so she stopped crying. tree →
• Put your phone away so it won't distract you when you cross the road. tree →
• One thief distracted the man while another took his wallet. tree →
• Try not to distract your partner during the test. tree →
• He felt puzzled and anxious; so he decided to ride into the country to distract his mind, and sent for his huntsmen and falconers. tree →

Note

Past form: distracted. Noun: distraction. «Distracted» (adjective) = not paying attention. Being distracted near roads or water is a common cause of accidents.

In Jewish tradition

In the Psalm it means to be so troubled that one's mind is thrown into confusion.

Interpretation. The psalmist is so overwhelmed by suffering that his mind reels, yet he still prays, which the tradition reads as faith in the darkest hours.

Examples

• I am afflicted and at the point of death from my youth up; I have borne Thy terrors, I am distracted. (Writings PSA.88.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past form: distracted. Noun: distraction. «Distracted» (adjective) = not paying attention. Being distracted near roads or water is a common cause of accidents.