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

The company said panic buttons, alarms, smoke screens and security doors were all fitted at the shop.

From BBC

White phosphorus is an incendiary, toxic substance used to create light and smoke screens during combat.

From New York Times

White phosphorus munitions can legally be used on battlefields to make smoke screens, generate illumination, mark targets or burn bunkers and buildings.

From Reuters

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

Drone after drone is sent above the Russian positions dropping smoke grenades, creating a smoke screen along the Russian-occupied trenches to allow vehicles to advance and confuse enemy anti-tank weapons.

From BBC

Related Words

• red herring