Smoke and mirrors

Meaning

Deceptive or illusory tactics meant to distract.

Usage

Used to critique superficial showmanship.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Magic tricks rely on plumes of smoke and mirrors to conceal the mechanism.

Used since at least the early 1900s in critiques of politics and PR.