deflection
deflection — 名詞
1. a movement away from a straight path that happens when something hits an object,
偏轉
物體撞擊後方向改變
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.
網球擊中網柱後產生劇烈偏轉，飛進了看台。
take a [adj] deflection into [place]
Engineers tested the bridge material's ability to withstand deflection under heavy winds.
工程師測試了橋樑材料在強風下承受偏轉的能力。
withstand deflection under [condition]
Ravindra measured the deflection of a laser beam as it passed through the curved glass.
Ravindra 測量了雷射光束穿過彎曲玻璃時的偏轉情形。
The goalkeeper had no chance because the deflection off the defender was too sudden.
守門員完全來不及反應，因為球碰到後衛後的偏轉太突然了。
- 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
迴避
避免批評或責難的言行
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.
被問到資金短缺的問題時，經理藉口稱讚團隊最近的銷售業績來迴避話題。
possessive + deflection + be + to-infinitive
Voters saw through the senator's deflection and demanded a direct answer about the policy.
選民看穿了那位參議員的迴避手法，要求他對該政策給出直接回應。
see through [somebody]'s deflection
Eshe admitted her long story was just a deflection so she would not have to discuss her exam results.
Eshe 承認她那長篇大論只是在迴避問題，因為她不想討論考試成績。
The spokesperson's deflection tactic became obvious when she changed the subject three times in one interview.
發言人的迴避策略很明顯——她在一次訪問中換了三次話題。
- 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
卸責；推諉
指責他人而非接受自身過錯
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.
在伴侶諮商中，治療師指出互相卸責正在破壞他們誠實溝通的能力。
deflection as a destructive pattern in relationships
Ziad's deflection was predictable — instead of admitting the error, he blamed the junior staff member.
Ziad 的推諉不難預料——他不承認錯誤，反而怪罪資淺的同事。
Psychologists describe deflection as a defence mechanism people use when criticism feels like a personal attack.
心理學家將卸責描述為一種防衛機制，人們在覺得批評是針對個人時會使用它。
When the project failed, the director's deflection was to accuse the design team of incompetence.
專案失敗後，主管的卸責方式是指控設計團隊能力不足。
- 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.