smokescreen

3 definitions • 3 examples

something that hides the truth about someone's intentions:

Instead of doing something about the problem, the city council is hiding behind a smokescreen of bureaucracy.

an artificial cloud of smoke that is used to hide the movements or positions of soldiers from the enemy

something which hides the truth about someone's intentions:

a smokescreen for sth The name change is a smokescreen for something larger.

Some thought the decision to announce a change of direction was a smokescreen to cover the management's desire for the CEO's departure.