distraction
thing that takes attention away
Something that takes your attention away from what you are doing or should do.
[something] is a distraction from [something]
- My phone is a constant distraction when I’m trying to study.
- Turn off any distractions before you start writing the report.
- The noise from the street was a major distraction during the meeting.
- Close the door so we can work without distraction.
- For many students, social media is the biggest distraction in class.
- The TV is a distraction when I do my homework.
- Please be quiet; I need to work without distraction.
- Music with words is a big distraction for me when I read.
- I turned off my phone to remove all distractions.
- Traffic outside the window is a distraction for the workers.
state of being unfocused
A mind state where you cannot focus because you are thinking about many things at the same time.
in a state of distraction
- She drove in a state of distraction after hearing the bad news.
- His distraction was clear; he kept checking his phone instead of listening.
- A moment of distraction at the wheel can cause a serious accident.
- The teacher noticed your distraction during the test.
- He apologized for his distraction and asked her to repeat the question.
- Because of my distraction, I did not hear my name.
- Her distraction in class makes it hard for her to learn.
- I was in a state of distraction and forgot the time.
- The doctor saw my distraction and told me to rest.
- His distraction showed that he was very worried.
pleasant break from worries
Something fun or interesting that helps you forget your problems or stress for a short time.
a [positive adjective] distraction from [something unpleasant]
- The movie was a welcome distraction from everything going on at work.
- Hobbies like gardening can be a healthy distraction from everyday stress.
- For him, video games are the perfect distraction after a long day.
- Her visit was a much-needed distraction from his loneliness.
- The holiday was a pleasant distraction from their financial worries.
- The game was a welcome distraction from my homework problems.
- Talking with my friend was a nice distraction from my stress.
- Reading is a good distraction when I feel sad.
- The trip was a perfect distraction from my busy job.
- Watching a funny show is a helpful distraction from bad news.
secondary attack to draw attention
A smaller military attack that is used to pull the enemy’s attention away from a bigger, more important attack.
use [something] as a distraction
- The airstrike was meant only as a distraction while ground forces moved in from the north.
- They used a small unit as a distraction to draw enemy fire away from the bridge.
- The navy attack served as a distraction so that the commandos could land unnoticed.
- Artillery fire on the hill acted as a distraction for the real offensive in the valley.
- The small attack was only a distraction from the main plan.
- They used a loud explosion as a distraction for the enemy soldiers.
- The planes made a distraction so the ships could move safely.
- The first group was a distraction while the second group moved forward.
medical separation of bones
In medical work, carefully pulling bones or body parts away from each other to help them heal in a better position.
[type] distraction of [body part]
- The surgeon used gradual distraction to lengthen the patient’s leg bone.
- Spinal distraction is sometimes performed to relieve pressure on the nerves.
- The device allows controlled distraction of the joint over several weeks.
- Distraction osteogenesis has become a common technique in orthopedic surgery.
- The doctor used distraction of the bone to make the leg longer.
- Spinal distraction can help reduce pain in the back.
- The machine controls the distraction of the joint.
- In this operation, distraction of the bones is slow and careful.
- Base: distraction
- Plural: distraction, distractions
as a distraction
1used to take attention away
Used to say that something is done to take attention away from another thing, or to help someone forget a problem for a short time.
- She put on a movie as a distraction while they fixed the car.
- The teacher gave them a quick game as a distraction from the long lesson.
- He invited his friend out to dinner as a distraction from her worries.
drive [someone] to distraction
1annoy someone extremely
To make someone feel extremely annoyed, worried, or upset because something happens again and again and will not stop.
- The constant noise from the construction site is driving me to distraction.
- Her kids’ fighting all afternoon nearly drove her to distraction.
- Waiting for the test results is driving him to distraction.
without distraction
1with full focus, no interruptions
With no things around you that take your attention away, so you can fully focus on one task.
- I like to study early in the morning, without distraction.
- The library is a place where students can work without distraction.
- Turn off your phone so you can write this report without distraction.