false pretences

plural noun

criminal law a former name for deception See obtaining by deception
a similar misrepresentation used to obtain anything, such as trust or affection (esp in the phrase under false pretences )

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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"He’s who we wanted to see. They got us there under false pretences," she added.

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They too say that when they arrived the jobs seemed non-existent and believe that they were hired under false pretences.

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The couple alleges it was done under false pretences.

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Police say Amal's boyfriend Ramadan Inuwa is wanted on charges of obtaining money by false pretences and is still at large.

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Ministers say they "strongly condemn" offering foreign care workers employment "under false pretences".

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