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Region: General | Usage example: The earlier error was just a red herring in the audit.

Red herring

Meaning

A misleading clue or distraction.

Usage

Used in debates or investigations when discussing distractions.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Training scent hounds once used smoked fish to throw off trackers.

Popular in crime novels and journalism since the 19th century.

Related Idioms

Keep your nose to the grindstone

Work diligently without distraction.

Sleeping on the job

Failing to perform duties due to laziness or distraction.

Blow smoke

Talk in a misleading or flattering way.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.