smoke and mirrors

Definition

A deceptive, fraudulent, or unconvincing explanation or description.

Etymology

From techniques traditionally used by stage magicians.

Example Sentences

• "Budget process? It's more like a magic show. It's wink and blink and smoke and mirrors and pulling rabbits out of hats, but almost all that ever comes up are designs to hide increases for the special interests."
• "On revenue raising issues, Mr Harris reveals what a master of smoke and mirrors Bob Carr really is."
• "It’s smoke and mirrors. It’s bogus. And it’s all too familiar. Every time we get close to passing reform, the insurance companies produce these phony studies as a prescription and say, "Take one of these, and call us in a decade.""