throw off the scent

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throw somebody off the scent

to give someone false or confusing information so that they will not discover something The police were thrown off the scent for a while by two of the witnesses, who were found later to be lying.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of throw a dog off the scent (to cause a dog to lose the smell that leads it to a person or animal)

See also: scent, throw

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throw into the bargain
throw into the pot
throw money around
throw money at
throw name around
throw off
throw off balance
throw off the scent
throw off the track
throw on
throw on mercy
throw on the scrap heap
throw oneself at
throw oneself at feet
throw oneself at the mercy of some authority

Idioms and phrases

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