shortcut vs sideline

shortcut

noun
  • A path between two points that is faster than the commonly used paths. 

  • A keyboard shortcut: a combination of keystrokes that provides easier access to a command or operation. 

  • A method to accomplish something that omits one or more steps. 

  • A file that points to the location of another file and serves as a quick way to access it. 

verb
  • To take or use a shortcut 

sideline

noun
  • A secondary road, especially a byroad at right angles to a main road. 

  • A line for hobbling an animal by connecting the fore and the hind feet of the same side. 

  • Something that is additional or extra or that exists around the edges or margins of a main item. 

  • Usually in the plural: the area outside the playing field beyond each sideline. 

  • The outside or perimeter of any activity. 

  • A line at the side of something. 

  • A line defining the side boundary of a playing field. Used in Canadian football, field lacrosse and basketball. 

verb
  • To remove or keep out of circulation or out of the focus. 

  • To place on the sidelines; to bench or to keep someone out of play. 

How often have the words shortcut and sideline occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )