pretence

Related to pretence: false pretence

by false pretenses

By or under a false impression created through intentional misrepresentation. I'm afraid you were brought here by false pretenses. I'm not your long-lost brother. You may not have lied directly, but you sold him those paintings by false pretenses—he thinks they're originals!
See also: by, false, pretense

on false pretenses

By or under a false impression created through intentional misrepresentation. I'm afraid you were brought here on false pretenses. I'm not your long-lost brother. You may not have lied directly, but you sold him those paintings on false pretenses—he thinks they're originals!
See also: false, on, pretense

under false pretenses

With a false impression created through intentional misrepresentation. I'm afraid you were brought here under false pretenses. I'm not your long-lost brother. You may not have lied directly, but you sold him those paintings under false pretenses—he thinks they're originals!
See also: false, pretense
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

by/on/under false preˈtences

(British English) (American English by/on/under false ˈpretenses) by lying about your identity, qualifications, financial or social position, etc: She was sent to prison for six months for obtaining money under false pretences. He got me there under false pretences. He told me he wanted to discuss a business deal, but when I got there, it was a surprise birthday party.
See also: by, false, on, pretence
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • by false pretenses
  • by/on/under false pretences
  • on false pretenses
  • pretense
  • under false pretenses
  • ring false
  • ring true
  • ring true/false/hollow
  • colour
  • false
References in periodicals archive
Sue O''Brien will close her Pretence cafe and bar in Whitchurch Road, Gabalfa, Cardiff
Last orders for bar hit by downturn
Pretence, Foretold and the two-year-old Divine Gift have been relocated, with the first-named pair joining Jonathan Sheppard in the United States and Divine Gift remaining in Newmarket, where he is now with Michael Jarvis.
Noseda blow as Nielsen trio move
There's a separate argument about the dangers even of harmless weapons being used in an intimidating way, but these swords go far beyond pretence. If people want this kind of reality then the question that must be asked is 'Why?'
Evening Gazette comment
The hypocrisy of pretence is exemplified most famously by Moliere's eponymous villain Tartuffe.(4) Tartuffe tricks his way into the affections of the rich Orgon by pretending to a virtuous character he entirely lacks.
Hypocrisy and moral seriousness
class="MsoNormalThe first-time MCA is battling other cases in court revolving around obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.
MCA Peter Muthoni arrested over fraud claims
They are wanted for obtaining money by false pretences from members of the public.
Four arrested over Sh65 million 'fake' tender
The prizes include private hire of Pretence Cafe Bar, more than pounds 200 of hair care products from Neo Hair Design, and a pounds 150 Swarovski necklace.
Prizes to be won at charity day; NEWS IN BRIEF
It's they who are allowing our masters in the courts to invoke Canada's so-called human rights codes and the misconceived Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as a pretence for trampling upon the basic principles of freedom under law.
Prisoner of conscience
But that did not fit the image so the pretence went on.
Voice of the Sunday Mirror: Tories are up to their necks in hypocrisy
He says, 'In the great hand of God I stand; and thence / Against the undivulged pretence I fight / Of treasonous malice'.
Brush up your Shakespeare
class="MsoNormalMISDEMEANOURS class="MsoNormalMr Omwoyo said that the culprits are involved in a myriad of misdemeanours, including misrepresentation of facts, taking money by false pretence and asking for handouts from news sources, among other things, adding that Kilifi County has registered 19 complaints in recent weeks.
Crackdown on fake journalists to start soon media council
Chacha was yesterday charged with six counts, including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining registration by false pretence and intent to defraud.
Chacha denies conning MPs out of cash, waits bail hearing
An interesting line it added was there was sometimes a "pretence of trust", which eventually evaporated thanks to issues including the election of Bobby Sands as the Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh-South Tyrone.
HEED LESSONS OF BLOODY PAST
As Rory Leishman pointed out in the London Free Press (May 29), this is another case where judges "under the pretence of upholding the Charter, have contrived to transform Canada into a veritable juridical dictatorship."
Court destroys "spouse-in-house" rule. (News in Brief)
The DJ and co-host then asked why Cowell went to the pretence of having an engagement if he did not plan to marry.
Simon Cowell 'not sure' if he and Mezhgan Hussainy are still engaged