deflect

Definitions

de- (away, aside) + flect (bend) = 'bend aside.' Physically, to deflect is to knock something off its path — a goalkeeper deflects the ball, armor deflects a blow. Figuratively, you bend incoming pressure aside: deflect criticism, deflect attention, deflect a tough question so it never lands on you.

Why It Means This

The literal and figurative senses share one motion: an incoming thing is bent off course. A bullet deflects off steel; criticism deflects off a skilled spokesperson. The trick of the figurative sense is that nothing is denied or answered — the pressure is simply steered sideways, often onto someone or something else.

Common Collocations

• 1.deflect criticism转移批评
• 2.deflect attention转移注意力
• 3.deflect blame推卸责任
• 4.deflect a question回避问题
• 5.deflect from转移…的焦点

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The goalkeeper deflected the shot over the bar.

• 2.

  He tried to deflect the question by changing the subject.

• 3.

  The minister deflected all blame onto his predecessor.

• 4.

  A thick wall of trees deflects the wind from the house.

Easily Confused

deflect vs deter — Both can keep something away, but deflect bends an incoming thing aside after it's already coming (deflect a blow, deflect criticism), while deter stops something before it starts by discouraging it (high fences deter intruders). Already coming → deflect; never started → deter.