Definition of "smoke screen" []

• A mass of dense artificial smoke used to conceal military areas or operations from an enemy. (noun)
• An action or statement used to conceal actual plans or intentions. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "It was with this in mind that Captain Parry put down a smoke screen and zig-zagged at a more respectful distance."
• "This provoked Captain Parry into replying, so he too put down a smoke screen and fired five salvoes as he turned away."
• "When the German guns began firing, the destroyer Lively hurried up and, seeing Halcyon’s acute danger, laid down a smoke screen between her and the enemy."