Japanese by Example
Learning through examples in manga

Reading a book to distract from waiting for a text message with 気を紛らす

Idiom Explanation: Distracting oneself with 気を紛らす

Manga panel from ブラザー・トラップ showing example of Reading a book to distract from waiting for a text message with 気を紛らす.
ブラザー・トラップ » Volume 1 » Page 92

Akari is expecting a text message from Izumi. Unknown to her, Izumi’s response was getting too long, so he switched to his computer to write up an e-mail instead.

Narration:
「和泉(いずみ)からの返信(へんしん)が来(こ)ない」
“I haven't received a reply from Izumi.”
あかり:
「楽(たの)しみにしてた新刊(しんかん)読(よ)んで気(き)を紛(まぎ)らわそう！」
“I'll distract myself by reading the new book I've been looking forward to!”
「没頭(ぼっとう)してたらいつのまにか返信(へんしん)来(き)てたりするかもね！」
“Maybe if I get really absorbed in it, the reply will show up before I know it!”