what is a ruse

A ruse is a trick or action intended to deceive someone. It involves a more elaborate process of deception than merely making a false claim, although making a false claim might be part of a ruse. A ruse can be used to distract or misdirect someone. For example, a heartbroken young man might sob, "She only pretended to love me! It was all a ruse to get close enough to steal the family jewels!". A ruse can also be used to gain an advantage or to avoid being discovered while doing something sneaky. Some synonyms for ruse include trick, stratagem, and artifice.