under the ruse

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the ruse" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe a situation in which something is done by pretending to have a different purpose than the real one. Example: The thief entered the house under the ruse of wanting to borrow a cup of sugar.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

— under the ruse of going duck hunting — to sketch a blueprint.

The New York Times

Relatives had taken her into the countryside under the ruse of a day-trip to pick oranges.

The Guardian

Monthly payments to the many thousands of unemployed whom local authorities pay under the ruse that they are doing socially useful work are at risk.

The Economist

"Under the ruse of reviewing the Administration for Children's Services, they make these observations contained in their report in a vacuum," Judge Lauria said.

The New York Times

Prosecutors, however, depicted the defendants as dangerous and violent men who practiced military tactics under the ruse of playing paintball war games and were sworn to secrecy in their operations.

The New York Times

"I resent the fact that a detective came to this court under the ruse of wanting to ask you questions when, in fact, he had it in his head that he wanted to arrest you.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

This year, Heidi Scrimgeour, from Surrey, buckled under six-year-old Edan's questioning, and admitted the ruse.

Independent

WND is still keeping up the ruse -- and, it would appear, doing so under orders from Taitz.

Huffington Post

The ruse worked.

The Guardian

The ruse succeeded.

The Guardian

But the ruse failed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under the ruse", ensure the sentence clearly indicates both the false pretense and the true, often concealed, intention. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "under the ruse" when the action is merely a mistake or misunderstanding, and not a deliberate act of deception. The phrase implies a calculated effort to mislead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the ruse" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates the manner or condition in which an action is performed, specifically highlighting that it's done deceptively. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the ruse" is a prepositional phrase commonly used to expose a hidden agenda or deceptive motive behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in News & Media sources. It is essential to differentiate between true intentions and false pretenses. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure a clear distinction between the stated and actual purpose. While alternatives like "under false pretenses" or "on the pretext of" are available, "under the ruse" provides a concise and impactful way to convey the act of misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under false pretenses

This alternative highlights the deceptive nature of the action, focusing on the false appearance presented.

on the pretext of

This alternative emphasizes the excuse or justification used to conceal the true purpose.

under the guise of

This alternative suggests a deceptive outward appearance or form.

with the excuse of

This alternative focuses on the justification provided, implying it's not the real reason.

masquerading as

This alternative suggests a deliberate attempt to disguise oneself or one's intentions.

posing as

This alternative highlights the act of pretending to be someone or something else to deceive.

cloaked in the semblance of

This alternative emphasizes the deceptive outer appearance that hides the true nature.

using the cover story of

This alternative draws attention to the fabricated narrative used to conceal the truth.

feigning

This alternative uses a verb to convey the act of pretending to hide the true intent.

with a veiled intent

This alternative emphasizes that there is a hidden and obscured purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "under the ruse" in a sentence?

You can use "under the ruse" to describe situations where someone is doing something with a hidden agenda, such as: "The spy entered the building "under the ruse" of being a maintenance worker."

What phrases are similar to "under the ruse"?

Similar phrases include "under false pretenses", "on the pretext of", or "under the guise of". These all imply some form of deception or hidden motive.

Is it always negative to do something "under the ruse"?

While often used in negative contexts, "under the ruse" itself doesn't inherently imply moral judgment. However, because it describes deception, it's usually associated with actions that are at least ethically questionable.

What's the difference between "under the ruse" and "with the intention of"?

"With the intention of" simply states the purpose of an action. "Under the ruse" implies that the stated purpose is not the real one and that there's a hidden motive. For example: "He visited her with the intention of apologizing" vs. "He visited her "under the ruse" of returning a book."