smoke and mirrors

plural noun

: something intended to disguise or draw attention away from an often embarrassing or unpleasant issue
usually hyphenated when used attributively

Examples of smoke and mirrors in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But more often than not, those assumptions are just smoke and mirrors. Mark Travers, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 To Polly Crozier, director of family advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, Tennessee’s arguments relying on Dobbs are just smoke and mirrors. Orion Rummler, Them, 31 Oct. 2024 The great and powerful Oz—all smoke and mirrors, always craving more power. Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Hoping the new Offensive Coordinator is more than just smoke and mirrors and has a system that takes advantage of mismatches putting these players in position to succeed. Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for smoke and mirrors 

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smoke and mirrors was in 1979

Dictionary Entries Near smoke and mirrors

Cite this Entry

“Smoke and mirrors.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smoke%20and%20mirrors. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

smoke and mirrors

noun
: something intended to disguise or draw attention away especially from an unpleasant issue
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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