Caught on the Fumble

When someone is supposed to be listening to another person's conversation, when really they are thinking of something else (often of something innapropriate of the conversation itself), and are asked a certain question relative to the topic you were supposed to be listening to. that causes you to draw a big, huge blank.

When you come up with a quick, sudden distraction to avoid having to actually answer the question (and thus look like an idiot and/or get in trouble), the name for that action is to Dodge the Fumble or dodging the fumble.

Samantha: (talking without end in sight about cats) I like cats, do you like cats, my favorite cat breed is the Egyptian Mau, the thing I like about them is...
John: (thinking about the Football Game last night)
Samantha: ...hey, what do you like better, the Maine Coon, or the Turkish Mau? And don't just say, 'because' liek you always do, or you're not getting any tonight!
John: (caught on the fumble) Oh yeah, um... (sees a Baskin Robins) Oh look, a Baskin Robins, want to get some ice cream there?
Samantha: (suddenly distracted by the offer of ice cream and forgets the question) Oh sure!
John: (thinks to himself) Dodged the fumble there, John...

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