0 a fact, idea, or subject that takes people's attention away from the central point being considered: --
The police investigated many clues, but they were all red herrings.
1 something that takes attention away from a more important subject: --
We can complete it step by step however long the road is and it can't be completed however short the road is if you don't even mark your footprint.
Vi kan slutföra det steg för steg hur lång vägen än är och den kan inte slutföras hur kort vägen än är om du inte ens markerar ditt fotavtryck.