change the subject

1. Deliberately talk about another topic, as in If someone asks you an embarrassing question, just change the subject. This term uses subject in the sense of “a topic of conversation,” a usage dating from the late 1500s.

Example Sentences

Instead of fixing the economy he’s hurting, he’s picking political fights to change the subject.

From Slate

“And now he’s trying to change the subject. ‘

From Los Angeles Times

Alas, Trump has been reserved throughout this process, refusing to go blow-for-blow, saying he’s “disappointed” in Elon and otherwise trying to change the subject.

From Slate

There had been some thought that Trump's surprise announcement on Wednesday night of a new travel ban, additional sanctions on Harvard and a conspiracy-laced administration investigation of former President Joe Biden were all efforts to change the subject from Musk's criticism.

From BBC

After answering several questions about the subject, she quickly shut down another one towards the end of the half-hour event, saying she wanted to "change the subject".

From BBC