blinding someone; dazzling to escape
Literal act of temporarily blinding someone, often to facilitate an escape. Can refer to throwing something in the eyes or using a bright light.
The ninja used a smoke bomb as a blinding distraction.
smoke screen; distraction; deception
Figurative use: a tactic or action meant to divert attention, hide the truth, or deceive. Common in politics, business, and everyday situations.
That announcement is just a smoke screen; the real problem lies elsewhere.
He asked a distracting question to divert the conversation from the main issue.
magic trick; sleight of hand
Dated term for a magic trick or sleight of hand, now mostly replaced by 手品 (てじな) or マジック. Still understood in historical or traditional contexts.
See also: 手品
Old-time street performers amazed audiences with sleight of hand.
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
Abbreviated kanji spelling; rare.
Alternate kanji spelling using 眩; less common.
Compound of 目 (め, eye) + くらまし, the noun form of くらます (to blind, to deceive). The literal meaning is 'blinding the eyes', which extended to figurative deception and dated magic tricks.