Meaning: This idiom means to mislead or distract someone from discovering the truth or from following the correct path. It implies giving false clues or creating a diversion to prevent someone from finding out what is really happening.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “The thief left a series of fake clues to throw the detectives off the scent.”
- “They tried to throw us off the scent by changing their travel plans at the last minute.”
- “He made up an elaborate story to throw his parents off the scent about his surprise party plans.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “throw someone off the scent” comes from hunting. Hunters use scent to track animals, and to “throw off the scent” refers to confusing the hounds by using misleading trails or false scents to divert them from their quarry. This hunting practice has been metaphorically extended to describe any situation where someone is intentionally misled or distracted to prevent them from discovering the truth or following the correct path. The idiom has been in use since at least the 19th century and remains a common expression for describing efforts to mislead or distract.
