deflect attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"deflect attention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone or something that is distracting people away from another person or subject. For example, "The celebrity was able to deflect attention away from the important political issues and focus it on her instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They spread gossip to deflect attention.

Harvard Business Review

"The government need to deflect attention.

The Guardian

It's a desperate attempt by Labour to deflect attention".

Independent

Instead O'Connell wants to deflect attention on to others.

Independent

He only mentioned the vampire to deflect attention.

Independent

They try to deflect attention by introducing a new story.

The Guardian - Opinion

Maybe Iran was using amateurs like him to deflect attention.

The Guardian - Opinion

Everything about him, in fact, seems designed to deflect attention.

The Guardian - Books

Pets can deflect attention away from our flaws.

The Guardian - Film

"This seems to be nothing more than an attempt to deflect attention from their housing crisis.

Independent

He in turn accused them of seeking to deflect attention from their flagship policy of independence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deflect attention" when you want to emphasize a deliberate attempt to shift focus away from something potentially damaging or unwanted. For instance, politicians often "deflect attention" from scandals by highlighting popular policies.

Common error

Avoid using "deflect attention" to describe unintentional shifts of focus. The phrase implies a conscious effort to redirect focus, not a natural or accidental diversion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deflect attention" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of intentionally redirecting focus away from something, often to avoid scrutiny or negative consequences, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deflect attention" is a versatile verb phrase commonly used to describe the action of intentionally redirecting focus. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to highlight strategic maneuvers aimed at shifting scrutiny. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a deliberate action, distinguishing it from passive diversion. Alternatives include "divert focus" and "draw attention away from", providing nuanced options for expressing similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divert focus

Focus is actively redirected to another point.

draw attention away from

Actively pulls the focus from something.

redirect scrutiny

Shifts critical observation or examination.

draw focus elsewhere

Shifts the central point of interest to a different area.

obfuscate the issue

Make an issue less clear, understandable, or obvious.

muddy the waters

Make an issue confusing and less clear.

shift the narrative

Change the story or perception of a situation.

downplay the significance

Reduce the perceived importance of something.

diffuse accountability

Spread responsibility so no one person is held solely responsible.

draw a red herring

Introduce an irrelevant topic to mislead or distract.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "deflect attention" in a sentence?

Use "deflect attention" to describe a deliberate attempt to shift focus from a potentially negative or undesirable issue. For example, "The company tried to "deflect attention" from the product recall by launching a new marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "deflect attention"?

You can use alternatives like "divert focus", "draw attention away from", or "redirect scrutiny" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "deflect attention" in formal writing?

Yes, "deflect attention" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing strategic maneuvers or political tactics. However, consider the tone and ensure it aligns with the overall formality of your piece.

What's the difference between "deflect attention" and "distract attention"?

"Deflect attention" implies a purposeful redirection, often from something negative, while "distract attention" simply means to draw focus away, without necessarily implying a strategic intent or negative context.