go down a rabbit hole

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to get lost in a long, winding, often pointless digression while researching or building something

Why this phrase?

From Alice in Wonderland, where Alice follows the White Rabbit down a hole into a strange, endless adventure.

Example

“I went down a rabbit hole reading old changelogs instead of fixing the bug.”

Dictionary details

Alternate forms

down the rabbit hole

Component words

rabbit hole

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

ace in the hole Neutral · CEFR C1

a secret advantage kept hidden until it is needed

test the waters Neutral · CEFR B1

to try something cautiously before committing fully to it

the name of the game Informal · CEFR B1

the central, most important aspect of a situation

deep dive Neutral · CEFR B2

a thorough, detailed examination of a topic, problem, or dataset

have bigger fish to fry Informal · CEFR B2

To have more important matters to deal with.

in one's sights Neutral · CEFR B2

chosen as a target or goal that you intend to achieve or pursue

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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