false purpose

[fɔls ˈpɜrpəs]
noun phrasepl: false purposes
propósito falso
1. An stated or apparent objective that is not the real intention; a deceptive or misleading reason given for an action
He claimed to visit under the false purpose of checking on his health, but was actually there to spy on the company.
Ele alegou visitar sob o propósito falso de verificar sua saúde, mas estava realmente lá para espionar a empresa.
2. A pretended goal or aim used to conceal true motives or objectives
The meeting was called under a false purpose to discuss budget cuts, when the real agenda was downsizing.
A reunião foi convocada sob um propósito falso para discutir cortes orçamentários, quando a verdadeira agenda era redimensionamento.
In both Brazilian and American English contexts, 'false purpose' is used when discussing deception, fraud, or misrepresentation. In business and legal contexts in Brazil, this phrase appears frequently in contracts and formal documents warning against acting 'sob propósito falso.' In American culture, it often appears in discussions of fraud, misrepresentation, and interpersonal deception.
NYC Slang
sus reason / fake flex / cap
Synonyms / Sinônimos
false pretensepretextfalse motivationconcealed intentdeceptive reason
Antonyms / Antônimos
genuine purposetrue intentionhonest objectivesincere motive

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
propósito falso
standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
propósito falso / desculpa furada
colloquial variant using 'desculpa furada' (fake excuse)
São Paulo
propósito falso / fingimento
may use 'fingimento' (pretense) as alternative
Portugal
propósito falso / pretexto
'pretexto' is commonly used equivalent

Related Words

deceptionpretenseulterior motivecover storyguiseartifice

Related Idioms & Phrases

under false pretenses
under the guise of
with ulterior motives
masquerading as
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