under false pretenses

idiom

: by saying something that is not true, by pretending something, etc.

A reporter obtained documents from the company under false pretenses.

Examples of under false pretenses in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to a new lawsuit filed earlier this month, the plaintiff, identified in court documents only as John Doe, claims he was lured to a Revolt TV location in 2020 under false pretenses by Wallace and others. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 July 2025

His claim accuses federal officials of detaining him under false pretenses and launching a smear campaign to discredit his advocacy. —Gabe Whisnant dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

Apparently many law students get ADA disability accommodations under false pretenses, giving them twice as much time to finish tests. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2025

Gathering emergency personnel under false pretenses can hinder their ability to respond to actual emergencies. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Rhymes for under false pretenses

• albigenses
• consequences
• inferences
• biosciences
• commences
• condenses
• defences
• defenses
• dispenses
• expenses
• offences
• offenses