false inquiry

[/fɔːls ɪnˈkwaɪəri/]
nounpl: false inquiries
inquérito falso
1. A dishonest or deceptive investigation or question made with the intent to mislead, obtain false information, or create a false pretense of legitimate inquiry
The detective discovered that the witness's false inquiry about the suspect's whereabouts was designed to obstruct justice.
O detetive descobriu que o inquérito falso da testemunha sobre o paradeiro do suspeito foi projetado para obstruir a justiça.
2. A fraudulent or insincere request for information or clarification with no genuine intent to learn the truth
The journalist's false inquiry into the company's finances was actually a cover for corporate espionage.
O inquérito falso do jornalista sobre as finanças da empresa era na verdade uma cobertura para espionagem corporativa.
In Brazilian legal contexts, 'inquérito falso' is a serious matter with potential criminal implications. The term is commonly used in law enforcement, journalism, and legal discourse. In the USA, false inquiries are associated with obstruction of justice charges and are treated seriously by federal and state authorities.
NYC Slang
wild goose chase; fishing expedition
Synonyms / Sinônimos
false questiondeceptive inquiryfraudulent investigationinsincere questioningmisleading inquiry
Antonyms / Antônimos
genuine inquiryhonest questionsincere investigationlegitimate questioning

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
inquérito falso
Standard term used in legal and investigative contexts
Rio de Janeiro
investigação enganosa
Alternative used colloquially to mean deceptive investigation
São Paulo
inquérito fraudulento
More formal legal terminology emphasizing fraud aspect
Portugal
inquérito fraudulento
Portuguese legal term with similar meaning but different legal context

Related Words

false testimonyperjuryfrauddeceptionobstruction of justicemisleading statement

Related Idioms & Phrases

to fish for information
ask leading questions
under false pretenses
dig for dirt
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