Changer les idées

Expression: Changer les idées (à quelqu'un)

Pronunciation: [sha(n) zhay lay zee day]

Meaning: to take one's mind off things, to clear one's head

Literal translation: to change one's ideas

Register: normal

Notes: The French expression changer les idées describes how doing something different, like going for a walk or taking a trip, can help you deal with some dilemma or difficulty. Note that the person in question is the object of the preposition à, and is very often replaced by the indirect object pronoun.

Examples

   Que faire pour se changer les idées après une rupture ?
   What can you do to take your mind off things after a break-up?

   Je vais sortir les chiens ; j'ai besoin de me changer les idées.
   I'm going to take the dogs out; I need to clear my head.

   Tu devrais partir en week-end, ça te changera les idées.
   You should go away for the weekend, that will take your mind off things.

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