Meaning of change the channel | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To redirect someone’s attention.
   Canada, idiomatic
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see change, the, channel.

Examples

“Repeated attempts to "change⟳ the channel" to pocketbook issues that traditionally favor Democratic candidates have⟳ flopped.”

““This is all smoke⟳ and mirrors because the issue⟳ in this campaign is taxes, which candidate is going to raise⟳ them and which candidate is going to cut⟳ them,” Harris said. “Bill McBride doesn’t want⟳ that to be the focus⟳ so he’s trying to change⟳ the channel.””

“Conservative Leader Stephen Harper tried to change⟳ the channel on a campaign of distractions Wednesday as he deftly neutralized the Afghan mission as an election issue⟳.”

“[Big banks] have⟳ become⟳ the perfect foil for the White House as it tries to lead⟳ the Democratic Party out of its post-Massachusetts morass — and to change⟳ the channel from the seemingly unending debate⟳ over health insurance.”

“Hudema responded, “This government doesn’t want⟳ to have⟳ a public discussion on the industry’s disastrous safety record⟳, or the toxic effects that spills from a 1,170-kilometre tarsands pipeline would have⟳ on indigenous rights, the Rocky Mountains, the B.C. coast, or the more than 1,000 rivers and streams this pipeline would cross. Instead, they try⟳ to change⟳ the channel by inventing scapegoats and bogeymen. […]””

CEFR level