smoke screen

American  

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.

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smoke screen British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of smoke screen

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

An adviser to Aksyonov, Oleg Kryuchkov, claimed that “a smoke screen was put up by special services.”

From Washington Times • Aug. 12, 2023

In this case, the seemingly straightforward phrase “relocate or resign” could be a smoke screen concealing an attempt to shrink workforce numbers without the accompanying negative press that mass layoffs invariably attract.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 7, 2023

He even aided the team’s public smoke screen regarding his status, telling reporters he was holding out hope of an October return despite already knowing his season was over.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2022

The film’s modest facade proves a smoke screen for a rich and eventful ride; one plot development in particular hits with such surprise that it catches the audience far more unawares than the characters.

From New York Times • Oct. 6, 2022

“I could maybe rig some kind of camouflage,” Leo said, “like a smoke screen to hide us in the clouds.”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• red herring