The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English
smoke and mirrors
noun [plural]Definition
› an explanation or description that is not true or not complete and is used to hide the truth about a situation: Even allowing for the smoke and mirrors, offers such as half-price cornflakes and 40% off washing powder look serious.
(Definition of smoke and mirrors noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
Focus on the pronunciation of smoke and mirrors
Our dictionaries
Browse the Thesaurus
Browse the Dictionary
Word of the Day
Blog
Read our blog about how the English language behaves.
New Words
Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.
