Definition

1. Noun:

   • Diversionary force / Feint force: A military unit deployed with the primary purpose of deceiving the enemy, drawing their attention away from the main force or the true objective.
   • Diversion / Diversionary tactic: The stratagem or deceptive action itself, intended to mislead an opponent.

2. Verb (less common):

   • To feint / To make a diversion: To employ a deceptive maneuver or tactic to mislead an opponent, often in a military or strategic context.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tướng lĩnh sử dụng một đội nghi binh để đánh lạc hướng quân địch. (The general used a diversionary force to mislead the enemy.)
  • Đó chỉ là một nghi binh, đòn tấn công chính sẽ đến từ hướng khác. (That is just a diversion; the main attack will come from another direction.)
• Verb:
  • Chúng ta cần nghi binh ở cánh trái để che giấu ý đồ thật. (We need to feint on the left flank to conceal our true intention.)

Advanced Usage

• The concept of is central to military strategy and can be applied in broader, non-military contexts such as sports, games, or business competition to describe a deceptive action meant to confuse an opponent.
  • Chiến thuật nghi binh của huấn luyện viên đã khiến đối thủ phòng thủ sai hướng. (The coach's diversionary tactic caused the opponent to defend in the wrong direction.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đánh nghi binh (verb phrase): To execute a feint attack; to carry out a diversionary action.
• Mưu kế nghi binh (noun phrase): A diversionary scheme or stratagem.

Synonyms

• Diversion
• Feint
• Decoy (when referring to a specific unit or object used to deceive)
• Ruse (a broader term for a deceptive maneuver)

Related Idioms

• While not a fixed idiom, the phrase (to create a diversion) is a common collocation.
  • Hắn nói chuyện ồn ào để tạo nghi binh cho đồng bọn. (He talked loudly to create a diversion for his accomplices.)

1. Troops manssed for deceiving the enemy
2. Diversionary stratagem, diversionary tactics