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smokescreen

noun [C]
 
 
/ˈsməʊk.skriːn/ US  /ˈsmoʊk-/

Definition

something that hides the truth about someone's intentions: Instead of doing something about the problem, the council is hiding behind a smokescreen of bureaucracy.Hiding and disguising an artificial cloud of smoke that is used to hide the movements or positions of soldiers from the enemyWar
(Definition of smokescreen noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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