palm off
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
Trick someone into taking something you don't want, by making it seem better than it is.
Literal meaning: To conceal something in the palm of your hand and pass it off — refers to sleight-of-hand magic tricks.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To deceive someone into accepting something inferior, false, or unwanted.
"The market trader tried to palm off fake designer handbags as the real thing."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To transfer an unwanted task or responsibility to another person, often by deception or manipulation.
"She was always trying to palm off her least favourite tasks onto the new interns."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Usually implies deception or unfair treatment. Can be used for physical objects or tasks/responsibilities. 'Palm something off on/onto someone' is the standard construction.
Commonly used with
fake goods work task children responsibility
Forms
Base
palm off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
palms off
he/she/it
Past simple
palmed off
yesterday
Past participle
palmed off
have + pp
-ing form
palming off
continuous
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Synonyms
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