false pretense

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Noun[edit]

false pretense (plural false pretenses) (American spelling)

  1. Representation of untrue facts.
    She enrolled at the university under false pretenses, giving an invented birth date and lying about her qualifications.

Usage notes[edit]

Often used in the plural, even if only one false representation has apparently been made.

Translations[edit]