under/on the pretense of

idiom

: using as a false reason or explanation (something that is used to hide the real purpose of something)
He called her under/on the pretense of asking about the homework assignment.

Examples of under/on the pretense of in a Sentence

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What To Know According to court documents reviewed by NewsNation, Piccolo is accused of driving up to a woman in Manatee County, stopping his vehicle under the pretense of asking for directions and then exposing himself. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 The indictment, unsealed last week, alleges that Combs and his associates lured female victims, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024 The victims were lured to meeting locations under the pretense of purchasing items listed for sale online, the Yuba City Police Department announced Wednesday in a news release. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2025 The sheriff confirmed Litton also went in June to an Adventist school in Chico under the pretense of enrolling a child. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for under/on the pretense of

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“Under/on the pretense of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%2Fon%20the%20pretense%20of. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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