smoke screen noun
plural ∼ screens [count] 1 : something that you do or say to hide something or to take attention away from something
▪ His campaign promises were just a smoke screen. ▪ The truth was hidden behind a smoke screen of lies. 2 : a cloud of thick smoke that is used to hide ships, soldiers, etc.
▪ His campaign promises were just a smoke screen. ▪ The truth was hidden behind a smoke screen of lies.
