false pretense

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

Alternative forms

Noun

false pretense (plural false pretenses) (American spelling)

  1. A representation made of untrue assertions in order to convey a false impression.
    She enrolled at the university under false pretenses, giving an invented birth date and lying about her qualifications.

Usage notes

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

Translations

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