Collocations for pretence - noun
ADJECTIVE
elaborate
It was all an elaborate pretence.
It was all an elaborate pretence.
flimsy,
slight
There is not even the slightest pretence of trying to make it realistic.
There is not even the slightest pretence of trying to make it realistic.
VERB + pretence/pretense
keep up,
maintain,
sustain
(BrE)
I don't know how long I can keep up this pretence of happiness.
I don't know how long I can keep up this pretence of happiness.
abandon,
drop,
give up
pretence/pretense + VERB
be over
Now that the pretence was over, he could tell them what he really thought.
Now that the pretence was over, he could tell them what he really thought.
PREPOSITION
under the pretence of
He tried to get close to her under the pretence of examining the pictures on the wall.
He tried to get close to her under the pretence of examining the pictures on the wall.
pretence at
His pretence at friendliness fooled no one.
His pretence at friendliness fooled no one.
pretence of
He was hanged without even the pretence of a proper trial.
He was hanged without even the pretence of a proper trial.
PHRASES
abandon all pretence,
abandon any pretence
She abandoned all pretence of neutrality and began to cheer.
She abandoned all pretence of neutrality and began to cheer.
make a pretence,
make no pretence
I make no pretence to be an expert on the subject.
I make no pretence to be an expert on the subject.
by false pretences,
under false pretences
He was accused of obtaining money under false pretences.
He was accused of obtaining money under false pretences.