smoke and mirrors

noun plural

Etymology: from the use of smoke and mirrors in conjuring tricks

: an illusion created (as by public statements) to disguise or draw attention from something potentially embarrassing or unpleasant (as the unworkability of a proposal) ; also : the means of creating such an illusion

• smoke-and-mirrors \\ˈ ̷ ̷  ̷ ̷ ˈ ̷ ̷  ̷ ̷ \ adjective

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(used with a sing. or pl. v.) something that distorts or blurs facts, figures, etc., like a magic or conjuring trick; artful deception.

[1980-85]

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smoke and mirrors

The use of deception, esp to achieve one's aims in spite of being in a weak position

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Main Entry: ↑smoke

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smoke and mirrors,

manipulation, or an obscuring of fact to achieve some desired result; deception: »

He promised decisive action. But when he unveiled his “plan,” it was all smoke and mirrors (New York Times).

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the obscuring or embellishing of the truth of a situation with misleading or irrelevant information

the budget process is an exercise in smoke and mirrors

Origin:

with reference to illusion created by magic tricks

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noun [plural]

chiefly US : 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

The new proposal brings no real changes–it's all just smoke and mirrors.