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smoke and mirrors

plural noun

Definition of smoke and mirrors

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

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First Known Use of smoke and mirrors

1979

SMOKE AND MIRRORS Defined for English Language Learners

smoke and mirrors

noun

Definition of smoke and mirrors for English Language Learners

  • : something that seems good but is not real or effective and that is done especially to take attention away from something else that is embarrassing or unpleasant

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