change the subject
Том попытался сменить тему.
Tom tried to change the subject.
Можно нам сменить тему, пожалуйста?
Can we change the topic, please?
Том хотел сменить тему.
Tom wanted to change the subject.
It was time to change the subject.
Я попыталась как можно быстрее сменить тему.
I tried to change the subject as quickly as possible.
It would have been better to change the subject.