顔をそむける (turn one's face away)

A set collocation meaning 'to turn one's face away, to avert one's gaze.' The verb そむける ('to avert, turn against') typically takes 顔 ('face') or 目 ('eyes') as object. Used both literally (looking away from something disturbing) and figuratively (refusing to face / confront an unpleasant truth). Common in body-language descriptions of shame, grief, or refusal.