snake oil

But during earlier remarks, Villaraigosa had said he had no interest in selling “snake oil” solutions to voters on complex matters like healthcare.

On Tuesday, Starmer attempted to rally the troops, railing against “snake oil salesmen” on the left and the right of politics, while promising a more muscular state that would intervene to help working people.

"Our voice, the voice that's always fought for them is getting drowned out by the carnival of charlatans and the circus of snake oil salesmen."

When Goop debuted, it sometimes felt like snake oil.

A certain snake oil salesman ensured that would be impossible.