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muleta

muleta

9.9
Something used as an excuse to hide a weakness or real purpose
  • noun
  • /mʊˈleɪtə/
translation icon : muleta
  • The flashy event served as a muleta to distract the public from the company's financial troubles.

Examples

  • The politician's apology was just a muleta to avoid answering difficult questions.

  • He used his busy schedule as a muleta for not attending the meeting.

  • He used a muleta to hide his insecurities.

  • Many politicians rely on a muleta to avoid accountability.

  • The politician's apology was just a muleta to avoid answering difficult questions.

  • The flashy event served as a muleta to distract the public from the company's financial troubles.

  • Many politicians rely on a muleta to avoid accountability.

Synonyms

mask
vsmuleta
129 5.9

A way of acting that hides how a person really feels

functions as an aid or excuse to cover a weakness or real purpose
pretext
vsmuleta
42 6.7

A false reason people give to hide what they really want

acts as a support or excuse that hides a weakness or deeper purpose
cloak
vsmuleta
27 5.8

A thing that hides the true nature of something

is used as a figurative support or excuse to hide a weakness
camouflage
vsmuleta
26 4.6

A way of hiding something so it is not easily seen

uses concealment as a support or excuse rather than only visual disguise
subterfuge
vsmuleta
19 9.5

A trick or excuse to hide the real reason

is more of a supporting excuse that hides a weakness or purpose
smokescreen
vsmuleta
9 7.1

An action or statement that hides the real reason behind something

serves as an aid or excuse to hide a weakness or real purpose
stalking-horse
vsmuleta
  • Literature
1 9.9

A person or thing used to hide someone's real plan

is used as an aid or excuse to hide a weakness or real purpose

Surface Forms

muleta singular
muletas plural

Etymology

By extension, muleta is used for something that helps or hides a weakness, like an excuse or cover, following the idea of a crutch or 'little mule' that carries a load. So a figurative muleta is an aid or excuse people use to hide a problem or true purpose.