单词 | pretext |
释义 | pretextpre‧text /ˈpriːtekst/ noun [countable] ![]() ![]() WORD ORIGINpretext ExamplesOrigin: 1500-1600 Latin praetextus, from praetexere ‘to weave in front, make an excuse’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES Thesaurus
THESAURUSa reason that does not seem believable► excuse Collocations 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) ► pretext 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► reason 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. ► explanation 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. ► motive 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? ► motivation 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. ► pretext 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► provided ... pretext a false reason given for an action, in order to hide the real reasonpretext for![]() ![]() · It was impossible to find any pretext for remaining in her company.· Within moments, Alison had found a pretext to excuse herself. ► give· 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. ► provide· 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. ► use· However, this can not be used as a pretext to justify inertia. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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