MEANING
Misleading actions or explanations that create an impressive appearance while hiding the truth.
Use it for
criticizing a deceptive presentation; describing impressive claims without substance; showing distraction from a hidden problem; contrasting appearance with what is really happeningIdentifies misleading display or explanation that hides what is actually happening. Writing functions: Deception.
Words that belong together
- all smoke and mirrors
- more smoke and mirrors
On the page
The demonstration looked persuasive, but the independent test exposed the smoke and mirrors.
She dismissed the elaborate accounting explanation as smoke and mirrors.
Word forms
- Base
- smoke and mirrors
Usage notes
Conventional noun phrase, usually plural in form. Common frame: it is all smoke and mirrors. Do not invent a singular *a smoke and mirror. Register: neutral. Commonness: common (qualitative editorial estimate, informed by dictionaries/corpus).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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