I am looking for a verb or a phrase that can express what I mean.

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

I am looking for a verb or a phrase that can express what I mean.

Adam and Jodie are on vacation in Toronto and are visiting the CN Tower. As they go higher on the elevator, Adam feels worse and dizzier because he is afraid of heights. Jodie is excited about being able to see airplane landing below them or the Niagra Falls a hundred miles away. Seeing that Adam is afraid of heights, Jodie says “Think about it, Adam… we’re on the tallest building in the world! You can see Niagara Falls… and it’s 100 miles away.” Adam says “I’m trying to think about it.”

What is Jodie doing to Adam? She is trying to make Adam enjoy the experience by saying some interesting facts (being on the tallest building) that Adam should appreciate rather than fear. …

Thanks in advance.

2

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She is distracting him from his acrophobia.
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3

Hi Sympathy,

An expression that could be used is: She is trying to take his mind off his fear of heights.

Alan