[General] gentlemen out-at-elbows/ on false pretence

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentence?

Mr. Tapley… entertained a constitutional dislike to gentlemen out-at-elbows who flourished on false pretence.

out-at-elbows = wearing clothes that are worn out or torn; poor

gentlemen out-at-elbows = lofty beggars

on false pretence = by fraud; by deception

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

 

[Tullia]

Your interpretation makes sense.

As a note, in modern Br Eng we would make "pretence" plural - the set phrase is "on false pretences". I don't know if you've just made a typo in your quote, and it was pluralized in your original that you are reading, or if that's a change that has happened over time.