to divert, to distract, to shift, to sidetrack
to deflect
(figurative) to derail (e.g. a movement, a process)
to bypass, to reroute, to redirect
to siphon, to siphon off (e.g. money, funds)
to forward (a phone call)
to avert (e.g. one's eyes or gaze)
to change (e.g. the subject, the course, the conversation)
to shunt
(figurative) to shunt (i.e. move aside)
(reflexive) to deviate, to detour, to turn aside, to depart
(reflexive) to turn off, to veer (e.g. to take an exit)
(reflexive) to branch off, to fork off (e.g. a road or highway)
(reflexive) to swerve, to go off course
(reflexive) to get sidetracked
