19
August
2024

Smoke and mirrors /

Kouř a zrcadla

Business Term of the Day

Definition

Smoke and mirrors is a phrase used to describe illusions and deception.

Example sentence

Even though Neil had claimed that his new startup had developed an innovative, more efficient blockchain algorithm, it was all just smoke and mirrors and now he is being investigated for fraud.

Comment

This phrase originated from an 18th-century stage magicians’ trick that involved using a mirror to reflect an image onto a cloud of smoke, giving the impression of a ghost on stage. It has since been applied to almost any deliberate obfuscation and charlatanism.

Definice

Kouř a zrcadla je fráze, která se v angličtině používá pro popis iluzí a klamu.

Příklad použití ve větě

Přestože Neil tvrdil, že jeho nový startup vyvinul inovativní, efektivnější blockchainový algoritmus, byl to jen kouř a zrcadla, a teď je vyšetřován z podvodu.

Poznámka

Tato fráze pochází z triku varietních kouzelníků, který využíval zrcadla, které odráželo obraz na oblak dýmu, a tím vytvářel dojem ducha na jevišti. Od té doby se používá pro téměř jakékoli cílené oklamávání a šarlatánství.

Business Term of the Day

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Business Term of the Day

English Editorial Services’ mission is to assist international businesses and organizations of all sizes to communicate clearly, correctly, and persuasively with their business partners and target audiences.

Simply subscribe to receive our Business Term of the Day at no charge to your inbox each business day, with explanation in English and Czech.

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