Word
misdirection
Phoneticsmis·di·rec·tion
UK/mɪsdaɪɹˈɛkʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a trick that sends your attention the wrong way, so you miss what really happens. Magicians use it to hide how a trick works.
n. deliberate diversion of attention or instruction toward a false conclusion, often to conceal real intentions or methods. In legal contexts, incorrect guidance given to a jury by a judge.
Examples
“The magician uses misdirection to hide the coin.”
“The defense lawyer claims judicial misdirection confused the jury about the standard of proof.”
“The novel's power lies less in plot twists than in quiet narrative misdirection, steering sympathy toward a character whose motives unravel only in the final pages.”
Examples
simple
“The magician uses misdirection to hide the coin.”
contextual
“The defense lawyer claims judicial misdirection confused the jury about the standard of proof.”
complex
“The novel's power lies less in plot twists than in quiet narrative misdirection, steering sympathy toward a character whose motives unravel only in the final pages.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “misdirection” in context.
Verb
01. employ misdirection
“The pickpocket employed misdirection to distract his victim.”
verb + noun
02. misdirection distracts
“The misdirection distracts you just long enough to hide the coin.”
noun + verb
03. misdirection fails
“If the misdirection fails, the whole trick falls apart instantly.”
noun + verb
04. misdirection works
“Misdirection works best when the audience is relaxed and unsuspecting.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. clever misdirection
“The thief used clever misdirection to steal the wallet unnoticed.”
adj + noun
06. deliberate misdirection
“The statement was a deliberate misdirection to hide the company's losses.”
adj + noun
07. masterful misdirection
“The magician's masterful misdirection left the audience completely baffled.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. act of misdirection
“With a quick act of misdirection, she swapped the cups around.”
noun + prep + noun
09. master of misdirection
“He is widely regarded as a master of misdirection on stage.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a master of misdirection
“She is a master of misdirection and no one ever sees the trick.”
11. a moment of misdirection
“In a brief moment of misdirection, the card disappeared completely.”
12. rely on clever misdirection
“Street magicians often rely on clever misdirection to amaze crowds.”
Real-World Examples
“Naturally good readers of a room and skilled at misdirection, comedians can inject some comic relief into those tense roundtable moments.” “In an interview with the BBC, Meyer said the facts about violence in South Africa had been misrepresented and he never got a clear answer about where this "misdirection of information" was coming from.” “Misinformation, misdirection and flagrant cover-ups create a daisy chain of lies.” “Her voice shouts out now and then through the flowery words, the elaborate magical misdirection, and these are the moments when the novel is most powerful.” Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/misdirection