Advanced English Conversations - Robert Allans, Ahmet Mustafaoglu, Metin Emir 2019

Set (28) - That’s nothing but smoke and mirrors

Dialogue

Charles: Sarah said nothing was stolen! that's a ridiculous a cover-up.

Diana: Probably her husband has a finger in the pie!

Charles: But as far as I know he’s a straightforward fellow who is keen to keep his nose clean.

Diana: Excuse me; Charles but you don’t seem to see farther than the end your nose. I wasn’t born yesterday to believe such a hoax.

Charles: What do you mean?

Diana: Everything is as plain as day. They’re playing the victim to divert attention from their bankruptcy.

Charles: That’s nothing but smoke and mirrors.

Vocabulary

Cover-up: concealment that attempts to prevent something scandalous from becoming public.

Have a finger in the pie: to have a role or to be involved in something.

Keen to: very interested, eager, or wanting (to do) something.

Not to see farther than the end one’s nose: to be narrow-minded; to lack understanding and perception.

Not to be born yesterday: to have enough experience to not be easily tricked.

As plain as day: Very obvious, quite clear.

Play the victim: to claim or pretend to be undergone or wronged.

Divert attention from: to try to keep people from noticing or thinking about something.

Smoke and mirrors: a strategy of deception and cover up.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions;

cover-up

as plain as day

have a finger in the pie

keen to

not to see farther

than the end one’s nose

not to be born yesterday

play the victim

divert attention from

smoke and mirrors

a. They're only proposing the law to .......... important issues.

b. The raw generation is very .......... get education.

c. You burned your arm on purpose! Stop ..........

d. People would suspect a .......... if public hearings aren't held.

e. It's .......... that they must sell their house before they can buy another.

f. The candidate has been accused of using .......... during the debate to undermine the credibility of his opponent.

g. Don't think you can fool me with that old ruse - I .........., you know.

h. Mom is now calling me every hour, and I'm sure you .......... - what exactly did you tell her?

i. The world’s destiny is being dictated by leaders who ..........