throw dust in someone's eyes, to
throw dust in someone's eyes
Mislead someone, as in The governor's press aide threw dust in their eyes, talking about a flight at the airport when he was heading for the highway . This metaphoric expression alludes to throwing dust or sand in the air to confuse a pursuing enemy. [Mid-1700s]
See also: dust, eye, throw
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
throw dust in someone's eyes
mislead someone by misrepresentation or diverting attention from a point.See also: dust, eye, throw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
throw dust in someone's eyes, to
To mislead someone. This term, already known in ancient Roman times, comes from the practice of soldiers confounding the enemy by literally throwing dust or sand in the air, creating a primitive kind of smoke screen. Used by Mohammed’s armies as well as many other early peoples, the practice was referred to by Erasmus (Adagia, 1523), who called it “A useful stratagem.” By Benjamin Franklin’s time the term was being used figuratively. “It required a long discourse to throw dust in the eyes of common sense,” he wrote (Works, 1767).
See also: dust, throw
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- dust someone off
- dust off
- dust up
- dust-up
- when the dust settles
- after/when the dust settles
- come it over
- come it over (one)
- dust of angels
- dust out