How to Pronounce "a red herring"
expression
ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈɹɛd/ /ˈhɛɹɪŋ
uh RED HAIR-ing
æɪ/ /ɹˈɛd/ /hˈɛɹɪŋ
uh RED HEH-ring
Definition
A fact, clue, or idea that distracts attention from the important issue or leads people in the wrong direction, especially in mysteries or arguments.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈɹɛd/ /ˈhɛɹɪŋ
British English
æɪ/ /ɹˈɛd/ /hˈɛɹɪŋ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
uh RED HAIR-ing
UK
uh RED HEH-ring
Listen in Context
The strange phone call was a red herring in the story.
The detective realized the clue was just a red herring.
His comments turned out to be a red herring to confuse us.
I think that weird news story is just a red herring. Don’t get distracted by it.