Verb
change the subject (third-person singular simple present changes the subject, present participle changing the subject, simple past and past participle changed the subject)
To talk about something else, especially to avoid issues that are too delicate or difficult.
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Winston Churchill
Ultimately, it was easier to change the subject than think the unthinkable. Charles Stross
Yossarian decided to change the subject. "Now you're changing the subject." he pointed out diplomatically. "I'll bet I can name two things to be miserable about for every one you can name to be thankful for. Joseph Heller
Our strategy has been to change the subject a bit so that we can get the issue of intelligent design, which really means the reality of God, before the academic world and into the schools. Phillip E. Johnson
I punched to line. "Yes? What?" "Norville. It's Cormac. If you don't change the subject right now, I'm going to have to go over there and have a word with you. Carrie Vaughn
I see it all the time in politics. If a candidate gets caught in a lie, he quickly tries to change the subject by throwing more mud at his opponent. The mud keeps flying until some of the slanderous material sticks. Joe Scarborough