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

But honestly, it felt scarier to me in the beginning of my life not talking about it and just keeping everything inside and then having to put on this sort of false front.

From Salon

Winthrop’s old-timey appearance today is a false front, to a degree.

From Seattle Times

He’d pull out his false front tooth to show the result of a collision with a crossbar to amuse his three daughters at the kitchen table.

From Seattle Times

But McClay, the author of the textbook “Land of Hope,” also said it didn’t have to present a “false front” of unity.

From New York Times

However, for a few, it's wearing off and they are feeling the exhaustion of having to keep up a false front --- the veil is falling from their eyes and they can no longer look away.

From Salon