deflection
deflection — noun
1. a movement away from a straight path that happens when something hits an object,
a movement away from a straight path that happens when something hits an object, or the action of making something move in a new direction
The tennis ball hit the net post and took a sharp deflection into the stands.
take a [adj] deflection into [place]
Engineers tested the bridge material's ability to withstand deflection under heavy winds.
withstand deflection under [condition]
Ravindra measured the deflection of a laser beam as it passed through the curved glass.
The goalkeeper had no chance because the deflection off the defender was too sudden.
- deviation
more formal; suggests a planned or systematic departure from a course rather than a sudden impact
- swerve
implies a controlled or intentional sideways movement, unlike deflection which is usually caused by an external object
- turn
more general; does not carry the implication of a collision or impact
用法筆記
Common in sports (ball games, billiards, football) and physics (light, gravity, projectiles). In sports contexts, a deflection often changes the expected outcome of a play.
常見錯誤
2. words or actions intended to stop criticism, blame, or an uncomfortable question
words or actions intended to stop criticism, blame, or an uncomfortable question from reaching you
When asked about the missing funds, the manager's deflection was to praise the team's recent sales figures.
possessive + deflection + be + to-infinitive
Voters saw through the senator's deflection and demanded a direct answer about the policy.
see through [somebody]'s deflection
Eshe admitted her long story was just a deflection so she would not have to discuss her exam results.
The spokesperson's deflection tactic became obvious when she changed the subject three times in one interview.
- admission
the opposite of avoiding blame — openly accepting responsibility
用法筆記
Very common in political, workplace, and media contexts. A deflection is usually seen as dishonest or evasive. The person using deflection does not directly attack the accuser — they simply redirect attention elsewhere. Distinguish from sense 3 (BLAMING OTHERS), where the person actively blames someone else rather than merely avoiding the topic.
常見錯誤
3. a defensive behaviour in which you blame other people for your mistakes instead
a defensive behaviour in which you blame other people for your mistakes instead of accepting criticism yourself
In couples therapy, the counsellor explained that deflection was destroying their ability to communicate honestly.
deflection as a destructive pattern in relationships
Ziad's deflection was predictable — instead of admitting the error, he blamed the junior staff member.
Psychologists describe deflection as a defence mechanism people use when criticism feels like a personal attack.
When the project failed, the director's deflection was to accuse the design team of incompetence.
- blame-shifting
more informal; describes the same behaviour in everyday language
- scapegoating
stronger and more specific; implies that an innocent person is unfairly blamed for a group's problems
- finger-pointing
informal; focuses on the act of pointing out someone else's faults rather than one's own
- accountability
the willingness to accept responsibility instead of shifting it to others
用法筆記
Used most often in psychology and relationship discussions. Unlike sense 2 (AVOIDING BLAME), which involves simply changing the subject, this sense describes an active counter-attack — the person does not just dodge the criticism but redirects blame onto another person. This behaviour is considered defensive and damaging in personal relationships and professional environments.