false front

noun

1. a façade falsifying the size, finish, or importance of a building, especially one having a humble purpose or cheap construction.
2. any deceptive appearance:

   He hid his great shyness behind a false front of aggressiveness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of false front¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

Nibletts suggested our getting a patent laying-box, furnished with (what he apologised to my aunt for calling) a false front.

From Project Gutenberg

Mingusville consisted of the railroad station, the section-house, and a story-and-a-half "hotel" with a false front.

From Project Gutenberg

Red Oak slept all day behind the drab, sun-bleached, false-front buildings on both sides of the only road.

From Project Gutenberg

St. George found himself looking fixedly at Mrs. Hastings' false front as the only reality in the room.

From Project Gutenberg

Another is that so far in life I have preserved a stern and unshaken resolution not to wear a false front.

From Project Gutenberg