Pulverem oculis offundere.

Jetter de la poudre aux yeux de quelqu' un, throwing dust into the eyes of any one, that he may not see what is going on before him. The adage is applicable to any one attempting to make a business, in itself obvious, obscure and difficult. A useful stratagem in war, where it can be effected, is to put an army into such a position, that in marching up to the enemy, the dust may be driven to their faces, and from this, the adage is supposed to have taken its origin. Giving a bribe with the view of obtaining an unjust decision in any business, is also called throwing dust into the eyes of the party.