smoke screen
Definition
Noun: 1. An action or statement intended to conceal, confuse, or obscure the truth: A deceptive tactic used to distract attention from a real issue or problem. 2. (Military) A cloud of smoke released to hide military movements from the enemy: A literal screen of smoke used as a tactical concealment.
Usage Examples
- The politician's emotional speech was merely a smoke screen to avoid answering the difficult questions.
- The company's announcement of a minor rebranding was a smoke screen for its major financial troubles.
- The troops advanced under cover of a smoke screen.
Advanced Usage
- "to be/have/act as a smoke screen for something": To serve the purpose of hiding something else.
- The charity event was a smoke screen for their illegal fundraising activities.
- "behind a smoke screen of": Hidden by a particular deceptive method.
- He operated behind a smoke screen of respectability.
Variants and Related Words
- Smokescreen (noun): An alternative, often single-word, spelling of "smoke screen".
- Smoke (verb/noun): The act of producing smoke or the visible vapor itself. (Note: This is the root word, but its primary meanings are distinct from the compound "smoke screen").
Synonyms
- Blind: Something used to deceive or mislead.
- Cover: Something that conceals or disguises.
- Facade: A deceptive outward appearance.
- Pretext: A false reason used to justify an action.
- Camouflage: Disguise or concealment.
Related Idioms & Phrases
- "To throw up a smoke screen": To create a diversion or deception.
- When questioned about the budget, the manager threw up a smoke screen by discussing future plans.
Noun
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an action intended to conceal or confuse or obscure
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requesting new powers of surveillance is just a smokescreen to hide their failures
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-
(military) screen consisting of a cloud of smoke that obscures movements
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