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!