smoke and mirrorsnoun [ plural ]
uk/ˌsməʊk ən ˈmɪr.əz/us/ˌsmoʊk ən ˈmɪr.ɚz/mainly USSomething that is described as smoke and mirrors is intended to make you believe that something is being done or is true, when it is not:
The new budget isn't smoke and mirrors; it's an honest attempt to reduce the deficit.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Creating a distraction
- distract
- distraction
- diversion
- divert
- escape
- mind
- put
- put sb off (sth)
- put sb off their stride idiom
- put sb off their stride/stroke idiom
- sidetrack
- stride
- subject
- take
- take sb out of himself/herself
- take sb's mind off sth idiom