smoke screen

noun

1. a mass of dense smoke produced to conceal an area, vessel, or plane from the enemy.
2. something intended to disguise, conceal, or deceive; camouflage.

smoke screen

noun

1. military a cloud of smoke produced by artificial means to obscure movements or positions
2. something said or done in order to hide the truth

Word History and Origins

Origin of smoke screen¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

There was no protecting destroyer to lay a friendly smoke screen to shield them from the eyes in the sky.

From Project Gutenberg

The smoke screen grew denser and taller, mounting toward the balloons.

From Project Gutenberg

The third method—that of rendering the blockships invisible to the battery—would have entailed the use of a smoke screen.

From Project Gutenberg

I thought at the time that this smoke screen was the thickest on record—that opinion was changed later.

From Project Gutenberg

Phoebe, therefore, laid out another protective smoke screen and lowered her boat for the rescue work.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• red herring