a red herring

Sens

something that distracts attention from the real issue

Élément qui détourne l'attention du vrai problème.

Exemples

1. 1The coloured mark was a red herring; a loose plug had actually caused the fault.
2. 2Don't let the discussion about uniforms become a red herring when we're here to discuss missing equipment.
3. 3The muddy footprint proved a red herring; it belonged to a visitor with no connection to the missing keys.
4. 4In the novel, the mysterious parcel was a red herring, drawing readers away from the real explanation.
5. 5That payment was a red herring; checking it distracted us from the real error in a different account.

Grammaire

Nom dénombrable : a red herring, pluriel red herrings. Souvent après be ou turn out to be.

Sens proche