Crossword Genius

Pretence so false, common knowledge (4,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

open secret

'common knowledge' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'pretence so false' is the wordplay.
'false' indicates anagramming the letters.
'pretence'+'so'='pretenceso'
'pretenceso' anagrammed gives 'OPEN SECRET'.

(Other definitions for open secret that I've seen before include "Generally known matter" , "Everyone knows it" , "Private matter actually known to many" , "common knowledge" , "Centre pose (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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