divert

/dai'və:t/

Thân thiện

The accountant attempted to divert funds into a private account.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To change the direction or course of something: To cause something to turn aside or follow a different path from its original or intended one.
   • To distract or redirect attention: To turn someone's attention or thoughts away from one subject or activity to another.
   • To entertain or amuse: To provide someone with enjoyment or pleasant occupation.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The construction will divert traffic for several weeks. (This causes vehicles to take a different route.)
  • He tried to divert the conversation away from the embarrassing topic. (This redirects the focus of the discussion.)
  • The clown's antics diverted the children while we prepared the surprise. (This amuses and occupies the children.)

Advanced Usage

• "to divert funds/resources": To redirect money or assets, often improperly, from their intended purpose.
  • The corrupt official was accused of diverting public funds for personal use.
• "to divert blame/responsibility": To shift blame or accountability onto someone or something else.
  • The manager tried to divert blame onto his team for the project's failure.

Variants and Related Words

• Diversion (n): The act of diverting or something that diverts, such as an alternative route or a distraction.
  • The road closure caused a major diversion.
  • Reading is a pleasant diversion.
• Diverting (adj): Entertaining or amusing.
  • It was a diverting film, perfect for a relaxing evening.

Synonyms

• Redirect: To change the direction or focus of something.
• Deflect: To cause something to change direction, especially to avoid something.
• Amuse: To entertain or cause laughter.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Divert" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly or with prepositions like "from" and "to.")

Related Idioms

• "To divert someone's attention": To deliberately make someone stop thinking about or noticing something.
  • She created a loud noise to divert the guard's attention.
• "A diverting spectacle": An entertaining or amusing sight or event.
  • The parade was a diverting spectacle for the whole town.

Học thuật

Verb

1. withdraw (money) and move into a different location, often secretly and with dishonest intentions
2. occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
   • The play amused the ladies
3. send on a course or in a direction different from the planned or intended one
4. turn aside; turn away from

Từ đồng nghĩa

• hive off
• amuse
• disport
• deviate