beside the point : Popular Idioms in English

beside the point

an insignificant statement that does not address the immediate issue.

The fact the project report was on DanaÕs desk was beside the point. It didnÕt belong to her.

News & Articles

  • NFL needs to get with the program vs. PED cheaters
    The first thing you learn about sports from a young age is that winning matters (it's why you keep score), but the first lesson about winning is enough to almost make winning beside the point. It's the cardinal rule of competition -- no cheating, ever. You've heard the cliches: Cheaters never win; winners never cheat. Once a cheater, always a cheater.
    June 16, 2013 - The Huntington Herald-Dispatch
  • Subsidizing Disaster
    The New York Times is pleased with Mayor Michael Bloomberg's 438-page, $20 billion plan to protect New York from the effects of future hurricanes. It notes benignly that the cost is probably an underestimate but agrees with the mayor, "Whether you believe climate change is real or not is beside the point; the bottom line is we can't run the risk."
    June 14, 2013 - Mona Charen via Yahoo! News