It was a ploy of theirs to pretend not to understand, to frown and simulate confusion because, in any conversation, it was convenient sometimes to appear to be at a loss.

NEWYORKER: The Woman of the House

Analysts want to pretend they understand this company.

FORBES: Apple Is Still Apple, But Street Sees Orange

Often they want to understand what is going on in the world, and trying to sweep it under the carpet and pretend things aren't happening is unhelpful.

BBC: Newtown shootings: How do you explain murder to a child?

We see very little of the snuff movies (films in which actors do not pretend to be killed but actually are) playing on the various television screens but enough to understand what will happen to our couple if they don't escape.

ECONOMIST: A flawless horror-thriller. Watch it if you dare