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
Police say Amal's boyfriend Ramadan Inuwa is wanted on charges of obtaining money by false pretences and is still at large.
From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2024
Ministers say they "strongly condemn" offering foreign care workers employment "under false pretences".
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2023
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.
