To behave contrary to an established
belief or
assumption for the purpose of being fresh and interesting. Usually used in the arts when analyzing the reaction of the audience to a performance or piece of
writing. Sometimes mistakenly used as a positive when the result in neither fresh nor interesting.
A. Star Wars: The Last
Jedi did a great
job of subverting audience expectations!
B. No, it was just a narrative mess.
A. Your report written in
crayon was very unprofessional.
B. Come on! I was just trying to subvert expectations!