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
Recent Examples on the Web
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
The director’s feature debut premiered Sunday night at the Sundance Film Festival, telling the story of Lucas (Tom Blyth), a plainclothes cop in Syracuse who lures gay men into public restrooms under the pretense of a hookup only to arrest them for indecent exposure.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025
Garrett Sutton and Hayle Ayers, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, were invited to New York by sponsors on the pretense of having won a contest.
—Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
These bills were passed under the pretense of protecting people, but only harm has come.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for under/on the pretense of
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Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
The director’s feature debut premiered Sunday night at the Sundance Film Festival, telling the story of Lucas (Tom Blyth), a plainclothes cop in Syracuse who lures gay men into public restrooms under the pretense of a hookup only to arrest them for indecent exposure.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025
Garrett Sutton and Hayle Ayers, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, were invited to New York by sponsors on the pretense of having won a contest.
—Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
These bills were passed under the pretense of protecting people, but only harm has come.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for under/on the pretense of
Cite this Entry
“Under/on the pretense of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%2Fon%20the%20pretense%20of. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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