Meaning & use
deflecting feelings
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
the act of turning attention away from emotions instead of dealing with them directly
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; it can be the subject or object of a sentence.
Patterns
- deflecting feelings with something
- deflecting feelings instead of something
- a way of deflecting feelings
His constant joking was a way of deflecting feelings he did not want to face.
The counselor said that deflecting feelings with sarcasm can damage close relationships.
She noticed her own habit of deflecting feelings whenever someone asked how she really was.
phrasefixed phrase
the practice of changing the subject when another person's emotions make you uncomfortable
Grammar: Often used after verbs like 'use', 'call', or 'accuse someone of'.
Patterns
- accuse someone of deflecting feelings
- deflecting feelings in a conversation
When his partner started to cry, he changed the topic, which she called deflecting feelings.
Deflecting feelings in a serious conversation can make the other person feel unheard.
Common combinations
- a way of deflecting feelings
- Making jokes is often a way of deflecting feelings.
- deflecting feelings with humor
- He kept deflecting feelings with humor during the argument.
- accuse someone of deflecting feelings
- She accused him of deflecting feelings every time she brought up the problem.
- deflecting feelings instead of dealing with them
- Deflecting feelings instead of dealing with them only makes things worse.
Synonyms and how they differ
- emotional avoidance
- This is a broader term for any attempt to escape uncomfortable emotions, not just turning attention away in conversation.
- evasion
- Evasion focuses on avoiding a topic or question, while deflecting feelings specifically involves emotions.
- diversion
- A diversion is a deliberate change of focus; deflecting feelings is usually more automatic and emotional.
Opposites
Word family
- deflect verb
- to turn something aside or away, literally or figuratively
- deflection noun
- the act of turning something away, or a deviation
- deflective adjective
- having the effect of turning something aside
Commonly confused: deflecting feelings or reflecting feelings?
deflecting feelings vs reflecting feelings
Reflecting feelings means acknowledging and mirroring someone's emotions, which is almost the opposite of deflecting them.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'deflecting feelings' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 shows the meaning of turning away from emotions, which fits the phrase. Option 1 describes the opposite behavior, reflecting feelings. Option 2 uses 'deflect' with a physical direction, which is a different sense. Option 3 is unrelated to emotions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “deflecting feelings”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.