pretextpre‧text /ˈpriːtekst/ noun [countable] 
The incident provided the pretext for war.on/under the pretext of doing something Tom called at her apartment on the pretext of asking for a book.on/under the pretext that He left immediately on the pretext that he had a train to catch. He’ll phone on some pretext or other.► see thesaurus at reason
WORD ORIGINpretext
Origin:
1500-1600 Latin praetextus, from praetexere ‘to weave in front, make an excuse’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He used to spend hours at her house on the pretext of giving her Japanese lessons.
- His sore leg was a pretext. He just wanted a day off work.
- Minor offences were sometimes used as a pretext for an arrest.
- She couldn't find a pretext to visit Derek at home.
- Every adverse employment decision is a pretext for litigation.
- He can't recall the man's story but clearly it was a pretext for his accomplice to search the house.
- He could of course simply walk out on some pretext - visiting a friend.
- I lingered, on the pretext of finishing half a glass of champagne.
- One pretext disposed of, McClellan found another.
- People were moving more slowly and nonchalantly, without the pretext of a destination or purpose.
- The boy was simply a beggar: his bundle of newspapers was a pretext, and we called him the Newspaper Boy.
- What bothers us more is the seeming predisposition of the federal courts to strike down term-limit laws on just about any pretext.
THESAURUSa reason that does not seem believable
a reason that you give to explain why you have done something bad, or not done something that you should have done – especially one that is not completely true: · She said she couldn’t come because she had to work late, but it was just an excuse.· a feeble excuse (=one that is hard to believe)
especially written an untrue reason that you give for doing or not doing something, in order to hide the real reason: · He would often find some pretext to go out in the evening alone.· They used this as a pretext for taking military action.
Longman Language Activatorwhy something happens or why someone does something what makes something happen, or what makes someone do something: · Why did he poison his wife? There must be a reason.reason for: · Dad went off to find out the reason for the delay.reason for doing something: · What was your reason for leaving your last job?reason to do something: · You don't need a reason to phone her. Just call her up and say hello.reason why: · There's no reason why Jon can't come with us.reason (that): · One of the main reasons that she looks so good is that she has her own personal stylist.for personal/health/business etc reasons: · For security reasons, there were video cameras at the school entrance.for some reason especially spoken (=for a reason that you do not know or understand): · No, he isn't here - he had to go back to Poland for some reason.for reasons best known to himself/herself etc (=for secret reasons that other people do not know or understand): · For reasons best known to themselves, my parents were vehemently opposed to the idea.
a fact, statement, or idea that helps you to understand why something has happened: · I don't know why he tested positive for drugs. The only explanation I can think of is that the samples got mixed up.explanation for: · Scientists have offered various explanations for these changes in climate.possible explanation: · There are several possible explanations for girls' superior high school performance.
the reason that makes someone decide to do something, especially something bad or dishonest: · It's hard to understand her motives.motive for/behind: · Police believe the motive for the murder was jealousy· The motive behind the killing of Agnes Law was robbery.motive for doing something: · Whatever your motives for coming over, I'm glad you did.an ulterior motive (=a hidden reason for doing something): · She was suspicious. Was there an ulterior motive behind his request?
the strong feeling that is your reason for wanting to do something or achieve something, especially something that may take a long time to achieve: · She enjoyed the excitement of her work. Money was not her only motivation.motivation for: · Fame was the main motivation for their efforts.motivation for doing something: · His motivation for wanting to stay on as manager is to see England as the top team in the world.
the reason that someone gives to explain why they do or do not do something but which is only partly true: · His sore leg was a pretext. He just wanted a day off work.pretext for: · Minor offences were sometimes used as a pretext for an arrest.pretext to do something: · She couldn't find a pretext to visit Derek at home.on the pretext of/that (=giving the reason that): · He used to spend hours at her house on the pretext of giving her Japanese lessons.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The incident provided the pretext for war. He’ll phone on some pretext or other.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB
a false reason given for an action, in order to hide the real reasonpretext for The incident provided the pretext for war. He’ll phone on some pretext or other.· It was impossible to find any pretext for remaining in her company.· Within moments, Alison had found a pretext to excuse herself.
· Opposition leaders are afraid to give Milosevic the pretext to use more brutality and proclaim martial law or something along those lines.· Even one counterexample would give us a pretext to bring the rogue in for questioning.
· Armed clashes between farmers and squatters that led to deaths could provide the pretext.· The incident also appeared to provide a pretext for the government to institute harsher measures against the student demonstrators.
· However, this can not be used as a pretext to justify inertia.
The incident provided the pretext for war.on/under the pretext of doing something Tom called at her apartment on the pretext of asking for a book.on/under the pretext that He left immediately on the pretext that he had a train to catch. He’ll phone on some pretext or other.► see thesaurus at reason