RED NEEDLE ACROSS YOUR PATH, THROW A NICE GREAT BIG

a coined variation of to draw a red herring across the track, meaning to attempt to divert attention from the real question. A red herring is a diversionary tactic, a misleading clue, false scent, etc., that is intended to take one's attention off the matter at hand, the real problem, etc., and comes from the use of strong-smelling smoked herrings as a lure used to train hunting dogs to follow a scent. They could also be used to throw dogs off a scent.