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