snow job
Plural
snow jobs
1
an attempt to persuade someone to do or believe something using deception or flattery
The idiom "snow job" originated from the practice of using a deceptive or overwhelming amount of words, information, or flattery to persuade or confuse someone. The term "snow" in this context likens the act to a heavy snowfall that covers and obscures the underlying landscape. This expression gained popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in political and persuasive contexts, where individuals would employ an excessive amount of persuasive tactics or information to obscure the truth or manipulate opinions.
- The salesman gave us a snow job, bombarding us with impressive-sounding features to distract from the product's flaws.
- During the debate, the candidate attempted a snow job by inundating the audience with statistics to divert attention from the core issues.
- The contractor did a snow job, using complex terminology to obscure the actual costs of the construction project.
- The marketing team's presentation was more of a snow job than an honest evaluation of the product's capabilities.
- Recognizing the attempt at a snow job, the journalist pressed for clear answers to uncover the truth behind the controversial decision.