plausible deniability, n.Definitions

Plausible deniability (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the first rule of covert work — which is why no secret service lodges its hired assassin in its own capital for two months.

Plausible deniability (n.) means: ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠if it goes wrong, it wasn't us, it was those people at the agency, and we can throw a few of them to the wolves.

Plausible deniability (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠a story's escape hatch: the enemy is a superspy where evidence is missing and a bungler wherever the plot needs him to blunder.