Beside the point
Meaning
Something that is irrelevant or not pertinent to the topic or discussion at hand.
Origin
The phrase hinges on the concept of an argument or discussion having a central 'point'—a precise target or core idea that must be addressed. The word 'point' itself has been used in English since the 16th century to denote the principal proposition or gist of an argument, a usage derived from the French 'point.' To be 'beside' something means to be next to it, but crucially, not on it or directly engaged with it. Thus, a statement that is 'beside the point' is literally hovering around the main issue without ever actually hitting the mark. It's like an arrow that has landed near the bullseye but failed to pierce it, perfectly capturing the irrelevance of a comment that misses the crucial substance of a debate.
Examples
- Your complaints about the weather are entirely beside the point; we still need to finish this report by noon.
- Whether or not I like his personality is beside the point; we have to evaluate his proposal based on its merits.