smokescreen Definition
- 1a cloud of smoke created to conceal military operations
- 2a ruse designed to disguise someone's real intentions or activities
Using smokescreen: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "smokescreen" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The company's announcement was just a smokescreen to distract from their financial troubles.
Example
The politician's speech was a smokescreen for his true agenda.
Example
The military used a smokescreen to hide their movements from the enemy.
smokescreen Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with smokescreen
throw up a smokescreen
to create a distraction or diversion in order to conceal one's true intentions or activities
Example
The CEO threw up a smokescreen by announcing a new product line to distract from the company's financial problems.
hidden or obscured by a deceptive tactic
Example
The true motives behind the politician's actions were hidden behind a smokescreen of false promises and rhetoric.
a series of false statements or misrepresentations intended to deceive or mislead
Example
The company's executives tried to cover up their wrongdoing with a smokescreen of lies and half-truths.
Origins of smokescreen
from the military tactic of creating a smoke screen to hide troops or ships from view
Summary: smokescreen in Brief
The term 'smokescreen' [smōkˌskrēn] refers to two related concepts. The first is a military tactic of creating a cloud of smoke to conceal troops or ships from view. The second is a ruse designed to disguise someone's real intentions or activities, often through deception or diversion. Examples include 'The company's announcement was just a smokescreen to distract from their financial troubles,' and 'The military used a smokescreen to hide their movements from the enemy.' Phrases like 'throw up a smokescreen' and 'behind a smokescreen' extend the metaphorical use of the term.
