pretext
gb/pɹˈitˌɛkst/ us/pɹˈitˌɛkst/
C1
English
~ 6400
ürügy
NOUN
C1
1
ürügy
B2
Usage pattern:
a pretext for [doing something]
The government used national security as a pretext to limit press freedom.
A kormány a nemzetbiztonságot ürügyként használta fel a sajtószabadság korlátozására.
He called her on the pretext of asking about work, but he really just wanted to talk to her.
Azért hívta fel, hogy a munkáról kérdezze, de ez csak ürügy volt: valójában csak beszélgetni akart vele.
They entered the building under the pretext of checking the fire alarms.
The argument was just a pretext for ending the relationship.
She needed a pretext to leave the meeting early.
Learner examples
He used a headache as a pretext to go home early.
A fejfájást használta ürügyként, hogy korábban hazamehessen.
The teacher did not believe his pretext for being late.
A tanár nem hitte el a késésére adott ürügyét.
They visited the office on the pretext of fixing the printer.
The party was only a pretext for him to meet new clients.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "pretext" with "context". "Pretext" is a false reason given for doing something, while "context" is the situation or background in which something happens. Another confusion is between "pretext" and "pretense/pretence"; "pretense" is the act of pretending, while "pretext" is specifically the false reason that hides the real motive.
Meaning
false reason hiding real motive
Collocations
on the pretext of
|under the pretext of
|use [something] as a pretext
|a flimsy pretext
|a convenient pretext
|pretext for war
Synonyms
excuse (More general and often milder; may be true or false, while a pretext is specifically not the real reason.)
|
cover story (Stresses an invented story to hide the truth, often in spying or crime; a bit more informal and vivid than pretext.)
|
pretense (Emphasizes pretending or acting; can be broader, while pretext focuses on a false reason for an action.)
|
pretense (American spelling is "pretense"; British is "pretence"; both can overlap with "pretext" in meaning but also refer to the act of pretending.)
Antonyms
genuine reason (Highlights that the stated reason is the real, honest one, not a false front.)
Themes
communication
|politics
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A false reason that someone gives to explain what they do, so that other people do not know the real reason.
A reason that is given to explain or justify an action but is not the real reason, used to hide the true motive.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pretext
IPA
GB/pɹˈitˌɛkst/
US/pɹˈitˌɛkst/
Syllables & stress
pre - text (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pre)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pretext
- Plural: pretexts
Word family
Forms
pretexts
noun
Related words
pretense
noun
pretence
noun B2
Advanced or less common
pretextual
adjective
pretextually
adverb
Expressions
a flimsy pretext
1/ə flˈɪmzi pɹˈitˌɛkst/
fixed phrase
very weak false excuse
A false reason that is clearly not strong or believable.
Examples
- The invasion was launched on a flimsy pretext.
- Everyone could see that his complaint was just a flimsy pretext.
on the pretext of
1/ˈɔn ðə pɹˈitˌɛkst əv/
fixed phrase
acting while giving a false reason
To say a false reason for doing something and then do it.
Examples
- He went outside on the pretext of making a phone call.
- The company cut jobs on the pretext of saving money.
under the pretext of
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə pɹˈitˌɛkst əv/
fixed phrase
doing something with a false reason
To do something while saying a reason that is not the true reason.
Examples
- The police entered the house under the pretext of looking for a lost child.
- She contacted him under the pretext of needing help with her homework.
use [something] as a pretext
1/jˈuz sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈæz ə pɹˈitˌɛkst/
fixed phrase
treat something as a false excuse
To take one reason and present it as the reason for your action, even though it is not your real reason.
Examples
- They used the minor incident as a pretext to fire him.
- She used the bad weather as a pretext to cancel the trip.