start a fresh hare

English

Etymology

Extension of start a hare.

Verb

start a fresh hare (third-person singular simple present starts a fresh hare, present participle starting a fresh hare, simple past and past participle started a fresh hare)

1. (idiomatic) To divert a discussion or argument from its conclusion.
   • 1873, William Thomas Thornton, Old-Fashioned Ethics and Common-Sense Metaphysics, page 156:

     Like a huntsman who, for the sake of a better run, should outrace his quarry, or who, seeing that the dogs were close upon the hare, should, in order to prolong the chase, start a fresh hare, kept till then snug at his saddle-bow, so Hume, in the excitement of metaphysical pursuit, instead of stopping to gather up whatever verified affirmations came his way, would prefer to follow any new negation that he espied, or, if momentarily accepting any affirmation as established, would proceed forthwith to affirm its direct opposite with the view of neutralising both.

   • 1924, Gilbert Frankau, Gerald Cranston's Lady, page 68:

     "Do I understand you to suggest, Mr. Cranston" -- Sir James Guthrie, scenting trouble, did his best to start a fresh hare -- "that we should issue fresh capital to finance this distribution scheme?"

   • 1936, R.A.J. Walling, The Corpse in the Crimson Slippers, page 158:

     "Let's think it out. Is one more shot going to put us back where we began, Felderman? Must we start a fresh hare altogether?"

   • 1955, Arthur C. Clarke, Earthlight, page 84:

     Before anyone could challenge him on this, Czuikov from the Electronics Lab started a fresh hare.