diversion tactic

Meaning

1. 1phrasecountable

   a method used to make people look away from the main problem or subject

   Grammar: Countable; you can say 'a diversion tactic' or 'diversion tactics'. It often follows verbs like 'use' or 'be'.

   Patterns

   • use a diversion tactic
   • a diversion tactic to avoid something
   • accuse someone of a diversion tactic

   The minister's announcement was seen as a diversion tactic to avoid questions about the economy.

   Critics called the report a diversion tactic.

   They used a diversion tactic to draw attention away from the scandal.

Word forms

Common combinations

use a diversion tactic

The company used a diversion tactic to hide its losses.

a diversion tactic to avoid something

It was a diversion tactic to avoid talking about the real problem.

call something a diversion tactic

The opposition called the new law a diversion tactic.

a political diversion tactic

The speech was a political diversion tactic.

Synonyms and how they differ

distraction

This is a more general word for anything that takes attention away; 'diversion tactic' suggests a deliberate plan.

smokescreen

This is a stronger, more disapproving term for something used to hide the truth.

red herring

This means a piece of information that leads people in the wrong direction, often not deliberately.

Word family

divert verb

to change the direction or attention of something

diversion noun

the act of changing direction or attention

tactic noun

a planned way of achieving something

Commonly confused: diversion tactic or diversion?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “diversion tactic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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