A phenomenon in which witnesses to a staged event continue to believe in its authenticity even after it has been debunked.

(idiomatic, childish) To pretend or imagine.

The act of pretending that what is imaginary is real.

imaginary; conjured in someone's imagination, especially when imagined by a child

(childish) The quality or act of pretending; acting as if something is true when in fact one knows it is not.

present participle of make believe

(idiomatic) You need to see something to believe it; visible facts cannot be denied. / (idiomatic) I am skeptical about your claim.

plural of make believe

Be assured; be certain. / Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see believe, me.

(idiomatic) An emphatic form of believe me: you (the subject) had better believe me (the speaker).