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Beside the Point

What Does "Beside the Point" Mean?

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"Beside the point" is an English idiom. It means "irrelevant to the matter at hand."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "beside the point" used in a sentence:
  • Whether he's a nice guy or not is beside the point; he's not right for this job.
  • Your personal feelings about her are beside the point. This is a business decision.
  • I understand your concerns, but they're beside the point right now.
meaning for beside the point

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Beside the Point" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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