red herring
noun /ˌred ˈherɪŋ/
/ˌred ˈherɪŋ/
- an unimportant fact, idea, event, etc. that takes people’s attention away from the important ones
转移注意力的次要事实（或想法、事件等） - He deliberately threw a red herring into the conversation.
他故意在谈话中转移话题。
词源From the custom of using the smell of a smoked, dried herring (which was red) to train dogs to hunt. - He deliberately threw a red herring into the conversation.