wag the dog

The phrase "wag the dog" is an idiom that means diverting attention from a potentially damaging or controversial issue by focusing public attention on a different, often less important, matter. It originates from the saying "a tail wagging the dog," where the tail represents a relatively insignificant part of a dog controlling its major actions. In a political context, "wag the dog" refers to manipulating or fabricating a crisis or event to distract the public, while hiding or downplaying more significant matters. It implies a deliberate act of deception or manipulation to maintain or gain power.