It’s all smoke and mirrors
2016.09.07
Meaning:
How do magicians do magic tricks? They often hide the truth with smoke or change how we see the truth with mirrors. So when we use the expression ‘It’s all smoke and mirrors’ we mean ‘Someone is trying to hide the truth’. Sometimes famously beautiful women describe their photographs as ‘all smoke and mirrors’. This means ‘I am not usually so beautiful, but the make-up, clothes and camera-work make me look beautiful’.
Example:
A: Look at this resume! This man is so well-qualified! He has 3 degrees!
B: Hmm… I’m not sure about that. It could be all smoke and mirrors. See? He hasn’t written his dates of graduation. Maybe he just started 3 different courses and didn’t complete any of them. Let’s check.
Talking Point(s):
Do you think politicians use smoke and mirrors? Why?
Practice English by posting an answer to the Talking Point on https://www.facebook.com/GetGOEikaiwa