mirror

smoke and mirrors (American & Australian)

something which is intended to confuse or deceive people, especially by making them believe that a situation is better than it really is. Smoke and mirrors made the company seem bigger and healthier than it really was. It was just clever marketing.

See also: smoke

smoke-and-mirrors

smoke and mirrors - something which is intended to confuse or deceive people, especially by making them believe that a situation is better than it really is. City Hall has saved taxpayers little with its smoke-and-mirrors trick of using money set aside for building renovations. (always before noun)

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smoke and mirrors

something that is meant to confuse or deceive people. Is this crisis just so much smoke and mirrors, or is it true that the government will run out of money?

Usage notes: usually involving a large organization rather than only one person

See also: smoke