pretext

借口、托辞、假托的理由

He used a sudden headache as a pretext to leave the meeting early.

他以突然头痛为借口，提早离开会议。

幌子、伪装的理由

The inspection was merely a pretext for searching the whole building.

那场检查只是搜查整栋大楼的幌子。

以…为借口、藉…之名

They raised the fees under the pretext of improving service quality.

他们以提升服务品质为借口调涨费用。