dazzle

if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull

In lieu of concrete facts or exceptional wit, you can convince people with artful, flowery, or misleading speech. ("Bull" is a slang term meaning something utterly untrue or wildly exaggerated, short for the rude term "bullshit." ) The phrase is popularly attributed to actor W.C. Fields. My dad loved telling the most ridiculous tall tales. His real life had always been pretty unremarkable, so he adopted the motto, "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull."
See also: bull, dazzle, if

razzle-dazzle

Excitement, attention, or fanfare. This is actually an event for a very serious cause, once you get past all the razzle-dazzle.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

razzle-dazzle

(ˈræzlæˈdæzlæ)
n. flamboyant publicity; hype. After all the razzle-dazzle dies down, we’ll see what things are really like.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull
  • (as) artful as a wagonload of monkeys
  • artful
  • as artful as a wagonload of monkeys
  • wagonload
  • carpe diem
  • in lieu
  • in lieu of
  • in lieu of (something)
  • lieu
References in periodicals archive
Draw for Saturday's final: 1 Casual Steps, 2 Cartiers Dazzle, 3 Shelbourne Dawn, 4 Dalcash Dvinsky, 5 Clearview Kelly, 6 Skywalker Queen (w).
Dawn proving hot property for Redknapp in Irish Oaks
The underlying metaphor of Razzle Dazzle is innocence taken for a ride.
Rough Ride; Amy Taubin on Ken Jacobs
Yesterday Dazzle was still refusing to eat and skulking around in her cage, despite the best efforts of staff and visitors.
Lonely lovebird: Dazzle loses her sparkle as Razzle is stolen
The Dazzle product line with Studio QuickStart enables users to make engaging home movies complete with colorful titles, transitions, effects, and music.
PINNACLE UNVEILS FOUR DAZZLE CONSUMER VIDEO CAPTURE PRODUCTS
These visual distractions of the dazzle effect prove more powerful at night because the pupil becomes dilated and allows the greatest amount of light into the eye.
Laser threats to law enforcement
The "Team" line features complete uniforms in three styles: (1) Playmaker, with jersey and shorts in dazzle with 3-color rib trim; (2) Franchise, same material in 3-color rib trim and contrasting inserts; and (3) Money, made of dazzle with pinstriped mesh side panels and 3-color rib trim.
Look and play like champs!
"We are overjoyed to once again have the opportunity to raise money for our empowerment programs serving the Denver community - and grateful to Dazzle for hosting the event," said Lori Ohlson, President of the People House board of directors.
People House to Hold Second-Annual Affordable Counseling Fundraiser at Dazzle
STUDENTS from Michelle Ahern's School of Dance are hoping to dazzle the audience at dazzle the audience at their annual show.
Time to Shine for students at dance show
AUDIENCES followed the yellow brick road to the Paget Rooms in Penarth as it was transformed into the magical land of Oz courtesy of the rainbowcoloured array of talent of Razzle Dazzle Theatre School.
Wizard of Oz wows in visit to Penarth
12 -- Celkon has announced the Millennium Dazzle Q44 smartphone in India for Rs.
Celkon Millennium Dazzle Q44 KitKat smartphone launched at Rs 6499
Dazzle through Christmas with these festive must-haves...
Be prepared; It's time to treat yourself to a festive look. Lisa Haynes reveals how to sparkle your way through the holidays
Washington, June 2 (ANI): Dazzle camouflage - painting of startling geometric patterns aimed at confusing the enemy rather than concealing the vessel, used extensively during World War I and World War II - could benefit modern warfare, suggests a new research.
World Wars' 'dazzle camouflage' could help winning on modern battlefields
Officers on the ground arrested a 17-year-old male, from Hartlepool, on suspicion of using a light in such a way that it would dazzle or distract an aircraft pilot.
Teen in laser probe
A ROAD safety chief has urged drivers to beware of the dazzle.
Dazzle warning to drivers