flimflam
3
9.6
- noun
- /ˈflɪmˌflæm/
- Archaic
- I've seen a million of these so-called psychics, each one a flimflam fake.
Examples
-
Maybe he needs to answer questions rather than flimflam people.
Blog text (33) -
If you are the slime behind this little flimflam, why, oh, why did you hire me?
-
All this talk about crazy people and dreamers was just flimflam.
Blog text (16) -
Can you look me in the eye and guarantee me this isn't some kind of a flimflam?
-
Whereas someone who displays any modicum of intellectual curiosity isn't satisfied with nonsense and flimflam.
Blog text (14) -
The salesperson's pitch was full of flimflam, making it hard to discern the truth about the product.
-
After hearing his flimflam about the investment, I knew I couldn't trust him.
-
The politician's speech was just a lot of flimflam meant to mislead the voters.
Synonyms
76
6.1
A false claim or action to hide the truth
76
7.4
A false show that hides what is really happening
44
7.5
Talk that is not true or is silly
24
7.4
Actions that hide the truth by making things look better
22
5.3
Talk that sounds important but has no real meaning
19
6.7
Nonsense talk that is not true
18
8.1
Words or actions that trick people by seeming magical
17
9.3
A trick used to cheat people, often to get their money
12
7.1
An action or statement that hides the real reason behind something
12
8.8
Talk that is not true and tries to trick people
9
9.0
Confusing speech that hides the truth, often to avoid a direct answer
9
9.9
Using unclear language to hide the truth and avoid giving a clear answer
6
9.8
Use of clever but false arguments to trick people
5
9.1
False talk or behavior meant to trick people
5
8.6
Empty showy talk with little real meaning
2
8.2
An attempt to trick someone by using false or exaggerated praise
2
4.3
A trick that makes something look like real magic
2
9.9
A trick done to cheat or fool people
1
9.9
Talk that is false and meant to fool or impress people
1
7.2
Smooth, pleasant speech that tries to trick people
1
9.9
Dishonest actions that try to trick people
1
9.7
Dishonest words or actions that try to trick people
Words or actions that try to trick people into thinking things are better than they are
To give vague answers on purpose to hide the truth
Antonyms
How Deceptive
Surface Forms
Etymology
Flimflam comes from the playful pair flim + flam, and it sounds like other silly phrases such as 'hocus-pocus' or 'mumbo-jumbo' used to hide the truth. So a flimflam is 'nonsense' or deceptive talk meant to fool people.