Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To present or cause something to be accepted as genuine or true when it is not; to misrepresent.
   • To emit or discharge something, such as a gas, vapor, or odor.
   • To disregard or treat something as unimportant; to dismiss.

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To happen or occur.
   • To fade away or disappear gradually.
   • To be accepted or succeed in being perceived as something one is not.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Transitive - Misrepresent):
  • He tried to pass off the counterfeit painting as an original.
  • She passed off her assistant's work as her own.
• Verb (Transitive - Emit):
  • The chemical reaction passed off a foul-smelling gas.
• Verb (Transitive - Disregard):
  • He passed off the criticism with a shrug, pretending it didn't bother him.
• Verb (Intransitive - Happen):
  • The demonstration passed off peacefully, without any arrests.
• Verb (Intransitive - Disappear):
  • The dizziness will pass off in a few minutes.
• Verb (Intransitive - Be Accepted Falsely):
  • With his perfect accent, he can pass off as a native speaker.

Advanced Usage and Nuance

• "Pass something off as something": This is the most common construction for the "misrepresent" meaning. It implies an active attempt at deception.
  • They passed the synthetic fabric off as pure silk.
• "Pass off" (intransitive for events): Often used for events that conclude, especially without the problems that were feared.
  • Despite our worries, the product launch passed off without a hitch.

Variants and Related Words

• Pass (verb): A broader term with many meanings, including to move past, to succeed in a test, or to transfer.
• Passable (adjective): Just good enough to be accepted; adequate.
• Passing (noun/adjective): The act of going by; or lasting for a short time (e.g., a remark).

Synonyms

• Misrepresent: Palm off, fake, counterfeit.
• Emit: Give off, release, discharge.
• Disregard: Ignore, dismiss, brush aside.
• Happen: Occur, take place, come to pass.
• Disappear: Fade, subside, vanish.
• Pose as: Impersonate, masquerade as.

Phrasal Verbs

• Pass away: A euphemism for dying.
• Pass out: To faint or lose consciousness; to distribute.
• Pass over: To ignore or fail to notice; to die (euphemism).
• Pass up: To decline or not take advantage of an opportunity.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• Pass off the blame: To shift responsibility for a mistake onto someone else.
  • He always tries to pass off the blame when something goes wrong.
• Let something pass off: To allow an event to happen or a feeling to subside without interference.
  • I decided to let his rude comment pass off without a response.

Verb

1. expel (gases or odors)
2. come to pass
   • What is happening?
   • The meeting took place off without an incidence
   • Nothing occurred that seemed important
3. disappear gradually
   • The pain eventually passed off
4. cause to be circulated and accepted in a false character or identity
   • She passed the glass off as diamonds
   • He passed himself off as a secret agent
5. disregard
   • She passed off the insult
6. be accepted as something or somebody in a false character or identity
   • She passed off as a Russian agent