what does "flimsiest of pretext" mean?

[Sympathy]

Hi can anyone tell me what "flimsiest of pretext" means ?

He keeps calling on the flimsiest of pretexts.
People were being arrested on the flimsiest of pretexts.

Thanks so much.

[Alan]

Hi,

'Flimsy' has the meaning of thin, insubstantial, light and is often used to describe clothing that doesn't really cover the body adequately. In your expression 'flimsiest' means 'without any substance' and 'pretext' suggests 'excuse'. The whole expression 'on the flimsiest of pretexts' suggests that the reasons for 'calling' or for 'arresting' had only a very slight basis - in other words the actions were taken with hardly any excuse for them.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story New year resolutions

[Sympathy]

Thank you very much Alan.