phrase requests - Idiom meaning diverting somebody's attention from a topic which you don't want to talk on

Is there an idiom or expression which means diverting somebody's attention with profuse talk about irrelevant things and trying to change a topic which is unpleasant to you or which you just don't want to discuss? Like this:

“Why did you lie?”

”Uh, such nice weather, isn't it? You know, last weekend when we were on vacation on the lake....”

I have heard of to talk one's head off, but as far as I understand it means just talking a lot and being boring, doesn't it?