a red herring

USAGE SUMMARY

"a red herring" is correct and usable in written English.
This idiom is used to describe something that distracts attention away from a more important issue or topic. For example, "The senator tried to draw attention away from his poor record as governor by introducing a red herring about immigration reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her feminism is a red herring like her progressive pronouncements.

Huffington Post

In the follow-up piece, Hanushek condemned Ravitch's precise and balanced positions as "Red Herrings," "a red herring," "a red herring," " a red herring," "a red herring," "a red herring," "red herrings," and "red herrings".

Huffington Post

But it's a red herring.

The New York Times

That's just a red herring.

The New York Times - Magazine

So it's a red herring.

The New York Times - Science

That's a red herring.

The New York Times

The "inflation threat" is a red herring.

The New Yorker

It is also a red herring.

The Economist

The settlements are a red herring.

The New York Times

But there's a red herring here.

The New York Times

"That race thing is a red herring".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that when you are calling something "a red herring", you are able to clearly articulate what the actual central issue is, as otherwise the accusation might seem unfounded.

Common error

Avoid labeling a legitimate concern as "a red herring" simply because it complicates your argument. Ensure that the issue truly diverts attention from the core subject, rather than being a relevant, albeit challenging, aspect of it.

How to use

Learn how to use "a red herring" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a red herring" is as a noun phrase that serves as a predicate nominative or an appositive. It identifies something as a diversionary tactic or irrelevant issue. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a red herring" is an idiom used to describe something that distracts from the main issue. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, use this phrase to identify arguments intended to mislead, but ensure that the issue is genuinely diversionary, or you risk undermining your argument. Alternatives like "distraction" or "irrelevant issue" may be suitable depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wild goose chase

Describes a fruitless and time-wasting pursuit, often based on misleading information.

smoke screen

Suggests an attempt to conceal something, often through obfuscation or misdirection.

tangential point

Highlights the indirect relevance of the information, suggesting it's off on a tangent.

irrelevant issue

Highlights the lack of connection to the matter at hand, emphasizing the unimportance of the topic.

peripheral matter

Identifies something as being on the edge of the main issue, rather than central to it.

distraction

Focuses on the act of diverting attention, without necessarily implying deception.

false clue

Implies a deliberate misdirection, often in the context of a mystery or investigation.

cover-up

Indicates an effort to hide a mistake or wrongdoing, with the distraction serving to protect the guilty.

deception

Emphasizes the misleading nature of the information presented.

fallacy

Indicates a flaw in reasoning or a misleading argument.

FAQs

How can I use "a red herring" in a sentence?

You can use "a red herring" to describe something that distracts from the main issue, such as: "The politician's claims about taxes were "a red herring" designed to distract from the real problem of unemployment."

What are some alternatives to saying "a red herring"?

Alternatives include "distraction", "irrelevant issue", or "smoke screen". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a red herring"?

Use "a red herring" when you want to point out that someone is introducing an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the main issue. It implies a deliberate attempt to mislead or distract.

What's the origin of the phrase "a red herring"?

The phrase refers to the practice of using strong-smelling smoked herrings to train hunting dogs to follow a scent, or to throw them off the scent during training. Metaphorically, it represents something that leads you astray.