“And switching gears …”

ON A SEPARATE NOTE …

["This phrase signals a shift in conversation, often used before introducing an unrelated topic or afterword in writing."]

This clue plays on the phrase "switching gears," which usually means changing topics abruptly. The answer "ON A SEPARATE NOTE" is another common way to signal that shift in conversation, making it a direct synonym. The word "gears" hints at the idea of moving to a different subject, just like how a car shifts gears to change direction. It’s a straightforward definition with a slight nod to the mechanical metaphor behind the phrase.