smoke screen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

An adviser to Aksyonov, Oleg Kryuchkov, claimed that “a smoke screen was put up by special services.”

From Washington Times • Aug. 12, 2023

In this case, the seemingly straightforward phrase “relocate or resign” could be a smoke screen concealing an attempt to shrink workforce numbers without the accompanying negative press that mass layoffs invariably attract.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 7, 2023

Drone after drone is sent above the Russian positions dropping smoke grenades, creating a smoke screen along the Russian-occupied trenches to allow vehicles to advance and confuse enemy anti-tank weapons.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2023

The film’s modest facade proves a smoke screen for a rich and eventful ride; one plot development in particular hits with such surprise that it catches the audience far more unawares than the characters.

From New York Times • Oct. 6, 2022

“Great. I should have installed a smoke screen that makes the ship smell like a giant chicken nugget. Remind me to invent that, next time.”

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan