Definition

Verb (transitive) 1. To sell or pass off something as genuine or valuable when it is actually fake, inferior, or unwanted. This involves deception, where the seller misrepresents the quality or nature of an item to the buyer. 2. To get someone to accept something undesirable by deception or persuasion. This meaning extends beyond physical goods to include passing off responsibilities, false ideas, or unwanted tasks.

Usage

The verb "palm off" is typically used with an object (the thing being passed off) and often requires a preposition like "on" or "as" to indicate the recipient or the false representation. * Common structure: to palm [something] off on [someone]. * Alternative structure: to palm [something] off as [something else].

Examples

• palm off on [someone]:
  • The dishonest merchant tried to palm off the counterfeit watch on an unsuspecting tourist.
  • He always palms off his boring paperwork on the new intern.
• palm off as [something else]:
  • They palmed off the cheap imitation jewelry as vintage family heirlooms.
  • You can't palm that outdated theory off as cutting-edge science.

Advanced Usage

• Passive Voice: The construction is often used passively.
  • I realized I had been palmed off with a faulty product.
  • That old excuse won't be palmed off on me again.
• Figurative Use: Commonly used for non-physical things like ideas, blame, or work.
  • The manager palmed off the blame for the error onto his team.
  • She palmed off the tedious job of data entry onto her assistant.

Variants and Related Words

• Fob off: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "palm off," especially in British English. ()
• Pass off: Similar in meaning, especially in the structure "to pass something off as." ()

Synonyms

• Foist: To impose an unwelcome or unnecessary person or thing on someone. ()
• Unload: To get rid of something unwanted by selling or giving it to someone else. ()
• Deceive: (More general) To cause someone to believe something that is not true.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Palm off does not have other distinct phrasal verb meanings; its core meaning is as defined above.

Related Idioms

• Sell a pup (British, informal): To swindle someone by selling them something worthless or not as described. ()
• Pull the wool over someone's eyes: To deceive someone. ()

Verb

1. sell as genuine, sell with the intention to deceive