throw someone off the scent

throw (one) off the scent

To misdirect one away from their pursuit; to steer one's investigation or suspicions in the wrong direction. The mafia accountant managed to throw the authorities off the scent of the mob's money laundering for years, but they finally caught up with him after an anonymous source tipped them off. That outlier data threw me off the scent for a while, but I think my research is back on track now.
See also: off, scent, throw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

throw someone off the scent

or

put someone off the scent

If something or someone throws you off the scent or puts you off the scent when you are looking for someone or something, they confuse or deceive you by making you believe something that is not true. We decided that if anyone was following us, it would be wiser if we split up to throw them off the scent. The team was also put off the scent by the alibi Maxine Jones gave Morgan. Officers now accept they should have checked her story more thoroughly. Note: This is a reference to hounds that get distracted from the trail of an animal they are hunting, for example because of another smell.
See also: off, scent, someone, throw
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • throw (one) off the scent
  • throw (one) off the track
  • throw off the track
  • put (one) off the track
  • put (one) off the trail
  • put off the track
  • throw (someone) off the trail
  • pull the wool over (one's) eyes
  • pull the wool over somebody's eyes
  • pull the wool over someone's eyes
References in periodicals archive
Aggression (mainly to throw someone off the scent).
Relationships: The lying game; Do you know a liar when you see one? JUDI JAMES, the body-language expert on Big Brother's Little Brother, does. Here she reveals the telltale signs that indicate your other half is cheating on you. And how to cover your tracks if you are up to no good.