煙けむに巻まく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

confuse; bewilder; throw up a smokescreen

Idiomatic expression meaning to deliberately confuse or mislead someone, often by using evasive or irrelevant talk. The literal meaning 'to surround with smoke' is rare and mostly historical; the figurative sense is the modern usage.

• 彼かれは難むずかしい質しつ問もんをされると、いつも煙けむに巻まこうとする。

  Whenever he's asked a difficult question, he always tries to throw up a smokescreen.

• その政せい治じ家かは記き者しゃたちを煙けむに巻まいて、核かく心しんを避さけた。

  The politician confused the reporters and avoided the main point.