window dressing

UK: /ˈwɪndəʊdrɛsɪŋ/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈwin•dow ˌdress•ing, n. [uncountable]

1. the art, act, or technique of designing and arranging the display windows of a store.
2. something done just to create a favorable impression.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

win′dow dress′ing, 

1. the art, act, or technique of trimming the display windows of a store.
2. misrepresentation of something, so as to give a favorable impression:
   The company's list of assets included a great deal of window dressing.
• 1780–90

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

window-dressing noun

1. the ornamentation of shop windows, designed to attract customers
2. the pleasant, showy, or false aspect of an idea, policy, etc, which is stressed to conceal the real or unpleasant nature; façade