fob off
Get rid of someone by giving them something bad instead of what they really wanted, or by making up excuses.
Meanings
To dismiss someone who has a complaint or request by making weak excuses rather than addressing the problem.
"Every time I called customer service, they fobbed me off with the same scripted apology."
To give someone something of poor quality or something they do not want, in place of what they actually asked for.
"The market trader tried to fob us off with damaged fruit at full price."
Primarily used in British English. Often implies a degree of dishonesty or bad faith. Common in consumer contexts (being given a faulty replacement product) and interpersonal ones (being put off with a weak excuse). The construction is typically 'fob someone off with something.'
Commonly used with
Forms
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