Word · Frequency #13929
pretext
借口；托词
a false or invented reason used to conceal the real purpose or reason
- 1.
A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.
虚假、捏造或假定的目的或理由；借口。
- 2.
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
为掩盖真实原因而编造的虚假理由；掩饰计划的借口
- 3.
an artful or simulated semblance
巧妙的或伪装的表象
虚假、捏造或假定的目的或理由；借口。；为掩盖真实原因而编造的虚假理由；掩饰计划的借口；巧妙的或伪装的表象；借口；托词
In use
He used a headache as a pretext to leave the meeting.
She arrived late under the pretext of a traffic jam.
They used the noise complaint as a pretext to evict the tenants.
on/under the pretext of + noun/doing sth
on和under均可使用，后接名词或动名词。
He left the meeting on the pretext of a headache.
他以头疼为借口离开了会议。
use sth as a pretext
She used the noise as a pretext to move out.
她以噪音为借口搬了出去。
find a pretext for sth
They were looking for a pretext for war.
Connections
Collocations
- on the pretext of
- 以……为借口
- He left the meeting early on the pretext of a headache.他以头疼为借口提前离开了会议。
- a pretext for
- ……的借口
- The disagreement gave her a pretext for ending the relationship.那次争执给了她结束这段关系的借口。
- invent a pretext
- 编造借口
- He invented a pretext for his lateness.他为迟到编造了一个借口。
- use something as a pretext
- 把……当作借口
- She used his mistake as a pretext to criticize him.她以他的错误为借口批评他。
- find a pretext
- 找到借口
- He tried to find a pretext for leaving.他试图找个借口离开。
- flimsy pretext
Learner notes
Memory Tip
想象你把一篇预先写好的“文本”(text)摆在前面(pre-)当掩护，用来掩盖真实理由——这就是pretext(借口)。
Context & Register
语域：formal 常见场景：formal writing、news reporting、official statements pretext 是较正式的用词，多用于书面语或正式场合，口语中更常说 excuse。常见搭配为 on/under the pretext of，表示“以……为借口”。
Grammar Note
常与介词 for 或 of 连用，如 a pretext for sth 或 on/under the pretext of doing sth
Pronunciation & Spelling
pretext 的第二个音节 /ˌtɛkst/ 是次重音，因此 text /tɛkst/ 和 next /nɛkst/ 都跟它能押韵（韵脚 /ɛkst/）。context /ˈkɑːntekst/ 虽然拼写以 -text 结尾，但重音在第一个音节，末尾音节不重读，所以不押韵。pre- 在 prefix /ˈpriːfɪks/ 中读 /priː/，与 pretext 开头相同；但 prevent /prɪˈvɛnt/ 中的 pre- 读 /prɪ/，要特别注意。pretzel /ˈprɛtsəl/ 拼写相似，但元音和结尾都不同。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.