Usage patterns
〈事〉の体をなすto take the form/shape of something
This plan doesn't yet take the form of a proper proposal.
〈事〉という体でunder the guise/pretense of something
He took the day off work under the pretense of a business trip.
〈事〉の体を装うto feign a certain appearance or state
He pretended not to know anything.
Expressions
体のいいnice-looking; plausible; glib さあらぬ体unconcerned air; nonchalant manner; acting as if nothing happened 体よく断るdecline politely; refuse gracefully; turn down without offending ほうほうの体scuttling away; scurrying off; fleeing in a fluster
