smoke mirrors

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb) something that distorts or blurs facts, figures, etc., like a magic or conjuring trick; artful deception.

Origin:
1980–85

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To smoke mirrors

Collins

World English Dictionary

smoke and mirrors

—n
	irrelevant or misleading information serving to obscure the truth of a situation

[C20: reference to the use of smoke and mirrors in conjuring illusions]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10

Smoke mirrors is always a great word to know.

So is callithumpian. Does it mean:

a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.

a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.

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Slang Dictionary

smoke and mirrors definition

n.
a strategy of deception and cover up. : Her entire report was nothing but smoke and mirrors. Who could believe any of it?

Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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