Don’t take it literally! Задачки по фразеологии

A RUSE

Fred was a young soldier in a big camp. During the week they always worked very hard, but it was Saturday, and all the young soldiers were free, so their officer said to them, “You can go into the town this afternoon, but first I’m going to inspect you.”

Fred came to the officer, and the officer said to him, “Your hair’s very long. Go to the barber and then come back to me again.”

Fred ran to the barber’s shop, but it was closed because it was Saturday. Fred was at a loss what to do, but not for long. Suddenly, he smiled and went back to the officer.

“Are my boots clean now, Sir?” he asked.

The officer did not look at Fred’s hair. He looked at his boots and said, “Yes, they’re much better now. You can go out. And next week, first clean your boots, and then come to me!”

rusebarberbarber’s shopbe at a loss what to dogo out

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Этот текст можно назвать “Red herring”. Помимо буквального значения «красная (то есть, копченая) селедка», это словосочетание означает «отвлекающий маневр»: сильно пахнущая копченая селедка использовалась для того, чтобы сбивать охотничьих собак со следа.