change the subject

Idioms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“When leaders who are supposed to be allies go quiet or change the subject, it doesn’t feel theoretical. It feels like we are being left behind because we are being left behind.”

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Suddenly the moderator intervenes to change the subject.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025

“I saw you leave and then I heard you came back,” Morgan prodded, leading Killer Mike to gently change the subject.

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2024

Jackson won’t try to change the subject when these are brought up.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 2023

Then Lupita asked to change the subject, “Where did you learn the English you know?”

From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023