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.
Without directly addressing the matter of those whose visas were refused, the official added: "We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences."
From Barron's ● Jun. 6, 2026
Some 55 Ghanaians have been killed while fighting in Ukraine, the country's foreign minister said on Friday, promising a crackdown on illicit recruitment schemes luring citizens to Russia under false pretences.
From Barron's ● Feb. 27, 2026
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 ● Nov. 21, 2025
They too say that when they arrived the jobs seemed non-existent and believe that they were hired under false pretences.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2024
I feel ill at ease with them, as if I am here under false pretences.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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.
