false pretense
Definition
Noun: 1. A deliberate deception or misrepresentation made with the intent to cheat or defraud someone, typically to obtain money, property, or a benefit. This term is often used in a legal context to describe the act of gaining something through lies or fabricated stories.
Usage and Examples
The term "false pretense" is used to describe a specific type of dishonest act where deception is the key method. * He was charged with obtaining money under false pretense after pretending to be a charity collector. * The company gained the contract under false pretense, as they had lied about their qualifications. * She realized the email was a false pretense designed to steal her personal information.
Advanced Usage
- Legal Context: In law, "false pretense" (or more commonly in modern legal language, "false pretenses") refers to a specific criminal offense. It involves:
- A false representation of a material past or present fact.
- Knowledge that the representation is false.
- Intent to defraud the victim.
- The victim's reliance on the false representation.
- The defendant obtaining property, money, or a valuable security as a result. Example: The court found him guilty of larceny by false pretense.
Variants and Related Words
- False Pretenses (plural noun): This is the more frequent form, especially in legal terminology. It refers to the series of deceptive acts or representations.
- Pretense (Noun): A claim, especially a false or misleading one, or the act of pretending.
- Pretend (Verb): To behave so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not.
Synonyms
- Deception: The act of deceiving someone.
- Fraud: Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
- Subterfuge: Deceit used in order to achieve one's goal.
- Misrepresentation: The action of giving a false or misleading account of the nature of something.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Under false pretenses: This is the most common phrase. It means by using deception or dishonesty.
- A pretense of (something): A false show or appearance of something.
Noun
-
(law) an offense involving intent to defraud and false representation and obtaining property as a result of that misrepresentation
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