false pretences
Britishplural noun
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criminal law a former name for deception See obtaining by deception
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a similar misrepresentation used to obtain anything, such as trust or affection (esp in the phrase under false pretences )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They said they had been sold the properties under false pretences and cheated out of their life savings by David Welch - the director of Exclusive Resorts Ltd.
From BBC
The SFO closed his complaint one day after receiving it, the documents show, and the company was allowed to continue raising money under false pretences until it collapsed with debts of £170m in April 2023.
From BBC
"He’s who we wanted to see. They got us there under false pretences," she added.
From BBC
They too say that when they arrived the jobs seemed non-existent and believe that they were hired under false pretences.
From BBC
The couple alleges it was done under false pretences.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
