deflect interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deflect interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of diverting someone's attention or curiosity away from a particular subject or topic. Example: "In an effort to deflect interest from the ongoing scandal, the spokesperson shifted the conversation to the company's recent achievements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Freedman will spend the last week of the window attempting to deflect interest in his other prospects but, even if players such as Wilfried Zaha and Jonathan Williams are coveted, they will not be permitted to depart for peanuts.

The Guardian - Sport

In the month or so since performing same-sex marriages became a point of civil disobedience for a handful of other American mayors, Mr. Bloomberg has tried to deflect interest in his personal opinion of the debate.

The New York Times

Chelsea are considering making a formal bid of about £13m for St Etienne's Kurt Zouma next month as they seek to deflect interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Monaco in the highly regarded teenage centre-half.

The Guardian - Sport

Palace, who had eliminated Manchester United in the quarter-final at Old Trafford, will now seek to deflect interest in their younger players before the transfer window closes next Tuesday, with the likes of Nathaniel Clyne and Wilfried Zaha, both impressive here, coveted by Premier League opponents.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Afterwards, we go back to the bar and England stands, deflecting interest, waiting for permission to leave.

The Guardian

Chelsea are confident of deflecting interest from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain to sign the Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic in January.

The Guardian - Sport

Woods, 36, looked as clumsy trying to steer the message as he did the putt toward the hole at No. 12. Instead of deflecting interest in a book whose mere existence he clearly views as a betrayal of trust, Woods only piqued interest in it by refusing to comment on questions about excerpts posted this week on Golf Digest's Web site.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet there was an insistence that he can reinvigorate this side, his eagerness all too evident to start work at a club capable of claiming trophies after two years in the wilderness deflecting interest from Al Wasl to Atlético Madrid, Sampdoria to Sunderland.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps it was Tarski's theory of truth for formalized languages (see Tarski 1956 [1933]) that deflected interest away from further development of this essentially inferentialist approach to the meanings of logical and mathematical operators.

SEP

As the wilis surround Albrecht, she dances and dances in his place, trying to deflect their interest.

The New Yorker

It has been suggested that Mr Lewis's motive has been to deflect media interest away from News International towards issues like police corruption and Andy Coulson's alleged involvement.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deflect interest" when you want to convey the idea of redirecting attention away from a specific topic, often to protect something or someone. For instance, "The company tried to deflect interest from the CEO's scandal by announcing a new product line."

Common error

While similar, "deflect interest" specifically addresses diverting curiosity or concern, while "deflect attention" is a broader term that can refer to any kind of diverted focus. Ensure you are using "deflect interest" when the subject is truly about diminishing active interest, not just general attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deflect interest" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of redirecting or diminishing someone's curiosity or attention away from a specific subject. As Ludwig AI points out, the examples highlight its usage in scenarios where attention needs to be diverted, often to protect or conceal something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deflect interest" is a grammatically correct and usable expression referring to the act of diverting attention away from a particular subject. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for scenarios where it is important to shift focus from potentially unwanted topics. Its usage is most common in news and media contexts, with a neutral register that avoids overly formal or informal language. While alternatives such as "divert attention" or "redirect focus" exist, "deflect interest" specifically emphasizes diminishing active interest or curiosity, rather than just diverting general attention. While not exceedingly common, its strategic use in professional and news reporting solidifies its validity and usefulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divert attention

This alternative focuses on shifting attention away, similar to deflecting it, but may imply a broader redirection.

redirect focus

This phrase emphasizes changing the focal point of attention, suggesting a more intentional shift.

draw attention away from

This option highlights the act of pulling attention away from a specific subject or issue.

defuse attention

Similar to "deflect interest", but carries a stronger connotation of neutralizing or calming down potentially negative attention.

ward off attention

Emphasizes preventing unwanted attention from occurring or persisting, suggesting a protective action.

sidestep attention

This option implies avoiding attention through strategic maneuvering, hinting at a degree of cleverness.

evade scrutiny

Focuses on avoiding close inspection or detailed examination, often implying a desire to conceal something.

avert focus

This alternative highlights the act of turning focus away from something to prevent attention.

draw the gaze elsewhere

A more figurative option that conveys the act of redirecting someone's gaze or attention to a different place.

curtail interest

Implies a reduction or limitation of interest, aiming to diminish focus on a particular area.

FAQs

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

You can use "deflect interest" when you want to describe an action taken to redirect or diminish the focus or curiosity someone has on a particular subject. For instance, "The politician attempted to "deflect attention" from the controversy by focusing on his accomplishments."

What are some alternatives to "deflect interest"?

Some alternatives to "deflect interest" include "divert attention", "redirect focus", or "draw attention away from" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "deflect interest" or "deflect attention"?

The choice between "deflect interest" and "deflect attention" depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Deflect interest" is more specific to diminishing curiosity or concern, while "deflect attention" is a more general term for redirecting focus.

In what situations is "deflect interest" commonly used?

"Deflect interest" is often used in situations involving public relations, crisis management, or sports, where there is a need to redirect focus from a potentially damaging or unwanted subject to a more positive or neutral one.