under false pretenses

idiom

: by saying something that is not true, by pretending something, etc.

A reporter obtained documents from the company under false pretenses.

Examples of under false pretenses in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Russia also reportedly recruited hundreds of Yemeni men to fight in its war in Ukraine by luring them to Russia under false pretenses in coordination with the Houthi terrorist network, according to a report from the Financial times. —

Greg Wehner, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024 In 2020, al-Hamada flew back to Damascus, lured by government officials under false pretenses, his family believe. —

Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024 All 15 students were arrested last month for allegedly punching, kicking, spitting on and calling a man derogatory names after luring him into an off-campus apartment on Oct. 15 under false pretenses, according to Salisbury police. —

Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 8 Dec. 2024 Juliette's dad, Dr. Nichols, makes his way down past the barricade under false pretenses, past the Raiders, and administers aid to Kennedy by safely plucking out the offending projectile and bandaging the wound. —

Jeff Spry, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for under false pretenses

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“Under false pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20false%20pretenses. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

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