The idiom "snake oil" refers to a product or service that is marketed as a cure-all or a solution to a problem, but in reality, it is ineffective or even harmful. The term originated in the 19th century when salespeople would travel around selling a type of oil that they claimed could cure various ailments, but it was actually just a mixture of different oils and chemicals.
Nowadays, the term "snake oil" is used to describe any product or service that is marketed deceptively or falsely. For example, if someone is trying to sell you a weight loss pill that they claim will help you lose 10 pounds in a week without any exercise or diet changes, you could say that it's just "snake oil" and not worth your money.
In short, the idiom "snake oil" is used to describe something that is being promoted as a miracle cure or solution, but in reality, it's just a scam or a worthless product.
• Some people believe in snake oil cures for cancer, but they are not scientifically proven.
• The company's claims about their new product were nothing but snake oil.
• I don't trust that salesman, he's just trying to sell snake oil.
• I was skeptical when the self-help guru tried to sell us his snake oil solution for happiness.
• The internet is full of snake oil remedies for weight loss.
• The politician's promises sounded like snake oil to me.
• The CEO's plan to turn around the company was nothing more than snake oil, as it resulted in bankruptcy and layoffs.
• Sarah wasted her money on that weight loss supplement, it turned out to be snake oil.
• I don't trust that salesman, he's probably selling snake oil.
• The politician's promises during the election campaign turned out to be snake oil, as they failed to deliver on their commitments.
• The new miracle cure for cancer that was being sold online was nothing but snake oil.
• The company's claim that their new product could increase productivity by 300% was nothing but snake oil.