groundless pretext
[ˈɡraʊndləs ˈprɛtɛkst]
noun phrasepl: groundless pretexts
pretexto infundado
1. A false or insincere reason given to hide the real purpose of an action; an excuse without valid justification or factual basis
He canceled the meeting on a groundless pretext, claiming a family emergency that never existed.
Ele cancelou a reunião com um pretexto infundado, alegando uma emergência familiar que nunca existiu.
2. An unfounded or baseless excuse used to conceal true intentions or motivations
The company's groundless pretext for the layoffs didn't fool anyone; it was purely a cost-cutting measure.
O pretexto infundado da empresa para as demissões não enganou ninguém; foi puramente uma medida de corte de custos.
In both Brazilian and American English contexts, this phrase is commonly used in professional, legal, and everyday situations to describe dishonest or transparent excuses. In Brazil, it's frequently encountered in workplace disputes and bureaucratic contexts where officials provide unfounded reasons for decisions. In the USA, it's often used in political discourse and corporate communications to critique insincerity.
NYC Slang
bogus excuse; weak sauce
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