deflect criticism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deflect criticism" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's attempt to divert attention away from their mistakes or shortcomings by changing the subject or providing excuses. For example: "When asked about his policy failures, the president attempted to deflect criticism by talking about his successes in other areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His critics said he was aiming to deflect criticism of his appointment, and distract antigovernment protesters, though if that was his motivation it failed.

The New York Times

It would deflect criticism.

The Guardian - Sport

Sri Lankan diplomats flit to Geneva to deflect criticism.

The Economist

Usually it is self-serving nonsense, intended to deflect criticism of the cartel.

The Economist

Pakistan's ruse is to deflect criticism about insurgents crossing the border, while staking its territorial claim.

The Economist

Since such support won't be forthcoming, Marois can conveniently deflect criticism from disappointed party activists.

The New York Times

Her opponents considered it a ploy to deflect criticism of her administration.

The Economist

It has done so to avoid sanctions, deflect criticism and smooth the way for state visits.

The New York Times

The company was seeking to deflect criticism from environmentalists, mostly those in Europe.

The New York Times - Science

The Pentagon has cited that competition to deflect criticism about KBR's no-bid contract in Iraq.

The New York Times

Cablevision's offer was its first major effort to deflect criticism from itself.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "deflect criticism" with an explanation of how the deflection is achieved for greater clarity.

Common error

Relying solely on deflecting criticism without addressing underlying issues can erode trust and damage credibility in the long run. Focus on solutions and improvements instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deflect criticism" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating an action taken to avoid or redirect negative feedback. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deflect criticism" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of redirecting or avoiding negative attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s frequently found in news and media contexts, often referring to strategic maneuvers employed by individuals or organizations to mitigate blame. When using the phrase, consider the ethical implications and ensure you are not merely avoiding accountability. Alternatives like "ward off criticism" or "sidestep criticism" offer slightly different nuances. While strategically useful, relying solely on "deflecting criticism" without addressing underlying issues can damage credibility. The high frequency of examples confirms its widespread applicability in describing various scenarios where individuals or entities attempt to avoid negative feedback.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sidestep criticism

Emphasizes avoiding direct engagement with criticism by maneuvering around it.

ward off criticism

Implies actively preventing criticism before it arises.

evade criticism

Highlights the act of escaping or eluding criticism, often through indirect means.

parry criticism

Suggests skillfully defending against criticism, similar to a fencing move.

defuse criticism

Suggests calming or pacifying a situation to prevent or lessen criticism.

avoid censure

Focuses on escaping formal disapproval or blame.

mitigate criticism

Focuses on lessening the impact or severity of criticism.

counter criticism

Indicates responding to criticism with opposing arguments or actions.

neutralize criticism

Implies rendering criticism ineffective or harmless.

soften criticism

Emphasizes reducing the harshness or intensity of criticism.

FAQs

How can I use "deflect criticism" in a sentence?

You can use "deflect criticism" to describe actions taken to avoid blame or negative attention. For example: "The politician tried to deflect criticism by blaming the previous administration."

What are some alternatives to "deflect criticism"?

Alternatives include "ward off criticism", "sidestep criticism", or "evade criticism", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it always negative to "deflect criticism"?

While often used in negative contexts, "deflecting criticism" isn't inherently bad. It can be a necessary strategy to protect a team or project when facing unfair or unfounded accusations.

What's the difference between "deflect criticism" and "ignore criticism"?

"Deflecting criticism" involves actively redirecting or addressing it in some way, while ignoring criticism means choosing not to acknowledge or respond to it at all. Both approaches have different implications and effectiveness depending on the situation.