Something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason.
1
The material composing the cloak was in general exceedingly light and flimsy.
2
In reality the cloak of secrecy is best achieved through urbane banality.
3
I raised my left hand as my right slid within my cloak.
4
I left it at a basket shop; and that explains the cloak.
5
The girl figure in the blue cloak and hood was absolutely alone.
1
Opposition groups said the abrupt closure was a pretext to prevent protests.
2
In his province, Mirabeau was the cause or pretext for the troubles.
3
He would go to South Africa on the pretext of a conference.
4
Under the pretext of improving the law it can be easily emasculated.
5
He stopped the Countess to look at the pretext of this excursion.
6
The pretext served also to make him the subject of many conversations.
7
The ruffians were only glad of the slightest pretext for further brutality.
8
They are a pretext, betraying its expansionist designs against Cyprus, Christofias said.
9
A pretext, she had said; clearly she had seen through it all.
10
This was a trap of the right, a pretext to win elections.
11
This retreat furnished the enemy with a pretext for claiming the victory.
12
It is only a favourable pretext for the life I have chosen.
13
The terrible butchery which is being prepared has not even a pretext.
14
But, put in the other way, her pretext for coming appeared trivial.
15
When she needed to cry, the deceased count would be the pretext.
16
Luckily, I have a pretext for my unexpected visit in these dispatches.
