“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.