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Old 06-Nov-2007, 14:43
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Default Looking for a phrase

Imagine that;

I cheat on my wife but not to be suspected I keep blaming her as if she cheats on me.

Another example;

I killed someone but not to be suspected I attended to funeral ceremony even I cried there.

Is there any specific phrase to desribe this action?

Thanks in advance

Last edited by LwyrFirat; 06-Nov-2007 at 15:30.
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Old 06-Nov-2007, 18:05
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Default Re: Looking for a phrase

"Offense is the best defense."
If you point the finger first, or make the first move in such a situation, it takes the spotlight off of you (at least temporarily) and makes you look less guilty.
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Old 06-Nov-2007, 19:41
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Default Re: Looking for a phrase

Thank you very much Ouisch fot the phrase, but I had to use a word in a mail before getting your answer. I wrote "misdirection" to describe these kind of actions, was my choice completely wrong? Does it sound irrelevant?
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Old 06-Nov-2007, 20:27
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Default Re: Looking for a phrase

Quote:
Originally Posted by LwyrFirat View Post
Imagine that;

I cheat on my wife but not to be suspected I keep blaming her as if she cheats on me.
I cheat on my wife but [to avoid suspicion] I keep accusing her of cheating on me.

Another example;

I killed someone but not to be suspected I attended to funeral ceremony even I cried there.
I killed someone but [to avoid suspicion] I not only attended the funeral but I even cried!

Is there any specific phrase to desribe this action?

Thanks in advance
Your sentences are a bit awkward, so I made some suggestions above.
"To avoid suspicion" (or even "redirect suspicion") is one phrase that comes to mind. The idiomatic "red herring" might work here too but I'm not sure how I would phrase it.
Fiona
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