"be beholden to a pretense of decorum" and "make no pretense of being interested"
1.In an article commenting House of Cards, it wrote:
"Beyond this, the idea that adults are still in charge, that the presidency is still beholden to a pretense of decorum has been disrupted by the election of a TV star whose following depends partially on his going off script."

"Beholden to" means "owning to someone", I am wondering how you would explain or paraphrase "beholden to a pretense of decorum". It sounds to me like "the presidency is subject to a pretense of decorum". But I understand "subject to" may not be the best expression here.

2. "She made no pretense of being interested"
Does it mean "she is very interested"? Or vice verse?

Thank you very much!

Question

"be beholden to a pretense of decorum" and "make no pretense of being interested"
1.In an article commenting House of Cards, it wrote:
"Beyond this, the idea that adults are still in charge, that the presidency is still beholden to a pretense of decorum has been disrupted by the election of a TV star whose following depends partially on his going off script."

"Beholden to" means "owning to someone", I am wondering how you would explain or paraphrase "beholden to a pretense of decorum". It sounds to me like "the presidency is subject to a pretense of decorum". But I understand "subject to" may not be the best expression here.

2. "She made no pretense of being interested"
Does it mean "she is very interested"? Or vice verse?

Thank you very much!

Answer

1. "Is subject to" is a good understanding. Or "is forced to be subject to".

2. Vice versa, she is NOT interested and she is not even pretending to be interested. ”made no pretense of being..." is a little idiomatic.
(Note that only Americans use the spelling "pretense", everyone else uses "pretence")

Answer

"...beholden to a pretense of decorum..." means: to be obligated [beholden] to pretend [a pretense] he follows the rules / a certain code of civilized behavior [decorum].

#2.  I agree with Alison L.'s answer.

Answers · 3

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