pretext
noun /ˈpriːtekst/
  /ˈpriːtekst/
- a false reason that you give for doing something, usually something bad, in order to hide the real reason; an excuse借口;托辞 -  (as a) pretext for (doing) something The incident was used as a pretext for intervention in the area.这次事件成了干涉那个地区的借口。 
-  on the pretext of doing something He left the party early on the pretext of having work to do.他借口有事要处理,早早离开了聚会。 
-  on a/the… pretext People were being arrested on the flimsiest of pretexts.人们以最站不住脚的借口被逮捕了。 
- The case for war was made on a false pretext.战争的理由是以错误的借口提出的。 
-  under the pretext of doing something Under the pretext of checking her identity, the man had copied down her credit card details.那个男的以检查她的身分为借口抄下了她信用卡的详细资料。 
-  pretext to do something Be careful not to give him a pretext to report you.注意不要给他告发你的借口。 
 Synonyms reasonreason- explanation
- grounds
- basis
- excuse
- motive
- justification
- pretext
 - reason a cause or an explanation for something that has happened or that somebody has done; a fact that makes it right or fair to do something:- He said no but he didn’t give a reason.他说不行,但没有说明原因。 
 
- He said no but he didn’t give a reason.
- explanation a statement, fact or situation that tells you why something has happened; a reason given for something:- The most likely explanation is that his plane was delayed.最可能的解释是他的飞机晚点了。 
- She left the room abruptly without explanation.她未作解释就突然离开了房间。 
 
- The most likely explanation is that his plane was delayed.
- grounds (rather formal) a good or true reason for saying, doing or believing something:指说、做或相信某事的充分理由、根据: - You have no grounds for complaint.你没有理由抱怨。 
 
- You have no grounds for complaint.
- basis (rather formal) the reason why people take a particular action:指原因、缘由: - On what basis will this decision be made?将基于何种原因作出这一决定呢? 
 
- On what basis will this decision be made?
- excuse a reason, either true or invented, that you give to explain or defend your behaviour; a good reason that you give for doing something that you want to do for other reasons:- Late again! What’s your excuse this time?又迟到了!你这次有什么借口? 
- It gave me an excuse to take the car.这使我有理由开车去了。 
 
- Late again! What’s your excuse this time?
- motive a reason that explains somebody’s behaviour:- There seemed to be no motive for the murder.这起谋杀案看不出有什么动机。 
 
- There seemed to be no motive for the murder.
- justification (rather formal) a good reason why something exists or is done:指事物存在或做某事的正当理由: - I can see no possible justification for any further tax increases.我看不出还能提出什么理由来加税了。 
 
- I can see no possible justification for any further tax increases.
 用 grounds 还是 justification? - pretext (rather formal) a false reason that you give for doing something, usually something bad, in order to hide the real reason:指为掩盖做某事(通常为不好的事)的真正理由而找的借口、托辞: - He left the party early on the pretext of having to work.他借口有事要处理,早早离开了聚会。 
 
- He left the party early on the pretext of having to work.
 - (a/an) reason/explanation/grounds/basis/excuse/motive/justification/pretext for something
- the reason/motive behind something
- on the grounds/basis/pretext of/that…
- (a) good/valid reason/explanation/grounds/excuse/motive/justification
 - He keeps popping into my office on the slightest pretext.他总是随便找个借口就跑到我的办公室来。 
- He used his research as a pretext for going to Hungary.他以搞研究为名到匈牙利去旅游。 
- This was a false pretext to attack another country.这是攻击另一个国家的虚假借口。 
 Collocations Dictionaryadjective- flimsy
- false
 - give somebody
- provide (somebody with)
- find
- …
 - on a/the pretext
- under a/the pretext
- pretext for
- …
 - at the slightest pretext
- on the slightest pretext
 词源early 16th cent.: from Latin praetextus ‘outward display’, from the verb praetexere ‘to disguise’, from prae ‘before’ + texere ‘weave’.
-  (as a) pretext for (doing) something The incident was used as a pretext for intervention in the area.