話はなしをそらす

expression, godan verb (-su)

change the subject; divert the conversation

Used when someone deliberately steers the conversation away from an uncomfortable, awkward, or inconvenient topic.

• 彼かれは都つ合ごうが悪わるくなるとすぐに話はなしをそらす。

  He quickly changes the subject whenever it becomes awkward for him.

• その質しつ問もんには答こたえず、彼かの女じょは話はなしをそらした。

  Without answering the question, she diverted the conversation.