noun
misdirection
noun
1
The act of steering someone's attention or effort the wrong way, often deliberately, as in magic tricks.
"The magician used misdirection to hide the coin up his sleeve."
2
A legal error made by a judge in instructing a jury.
"The appeal succeeded on the grounds of judicial misdirection."
How to Use Misdirection
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPointing attention or effort the wrong way, sometimes on purpose.
Common pairings
a classic misdirection
sleight of hand and misdirection
Word Forms
misdirections plural
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The magician used _____ to hide the coin up his sleeve.
Etymology
From mis- + direction.