What does “Red herring” mean?
"A red herring" means something that distracts attention from the main issue or topic.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The politician's speech was full of red herrings to divert attention from his controversial policies.
Example
The detective realized that the suspect's alibi was a red herring meant to throw off the investigation.
Example
The heated argument about the budget turned into a red herring when they started discussing unrelated personal matters
Is “Red herring” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Red herring” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Red herring” effectively in context?
You can use "Red Herring" to describe a situation where someone intentionally introduces a misleading or irrelevant piece of information to divert attention from the main point. For example, if someone is trying to avoid answering a direct question, you might say, 'Don't fall for his "red herring", he's just trying to distract us from the real issue.'
- 1Politics
The politician's speech was full of red herrings to divert attention from his controversial policies.
- 2Investigation
The detective realized that the suspect's alibi was a red herring meant to throw off the investigation.
- 3Argument
The heated argument about the budget turned into a red herring when they started discussing unrelated personal matters.
Similar phrases to “Red herring”:
Smoke and mirrors
Deceptive or misleading tactics used to distract or confuse
Example
The company's financial statements were full of smoke and mirrors to hide their true financial situation.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Red herring” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Red Herring" can be traced back to the practice of using smoked herrings, which have a strong and distinctive smell, to train hunting dogs. Trainers would drag the herring across the trail to distract the dogs from the scent they were supposed to follow. This practice eventually led to the figurative meaning of "red herring" as something that diverts attention from the main issue or topic.
Is “Red herring” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Red Herring" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to point out when someone is trying to distract or mislead others by introducing irrelevant information.
What tone does “Red herring” have?
"Red Herring" conveys a tone of skepticism and critical thinking. It's often used to question the motives or tactics of someone who is trying to divert attention from the main issue.
Can “Red herring” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "red herring" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes a common tactic of distraction. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as debates, presentations, or written reports.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'His argument was a "red herring" to avoid addressing the real problem.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'That's a "red herring"!' to imply that something is a distraction or diversion.
