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    Pretext

    /ˈpriː.tɛkst/

    Meaning & Definition

    noun
    A reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.
    He made a donation to the charity as a pretext for avoiding taxes.
    An excuse or facade for a specific behavior or decision.
    Under the pretext of needing advice, she sought him out to rekindle their old relationship.
    A false appearing motive or justification.
    The manager used a pretext of company policy to deny the employees' request for a raise.

    Etymology

    From Latin 'praetextus', meaning 'to cover or conceal'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    under the pretext:
    doing something while claiming a misleading reason.
    pretext for action:
    an excuse that is used to justify a certain action.
    on false pretenses:
    acting under a deception, often legally or morally questionable.

    Related Words

    pretense
    An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true.
    guise
    An external appearance concealing the true nature of something.
    subterfuge
    A trick or deceit used to achieve one's goal.

    Slang Meanings

    Cover story
    He always has a cover story to explain his late arrivals.
    Excuse note
    She wrote an excuse note to skip class but really just went shopping.