pass off as
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To trick someone into thinking that one thing is really something else.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To misrepresent an object as something more valuable or different from what it actually is.
"The dealer tried to pass off a cheap reproduction as an original painting."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To present oneself or another person as someone they are not in order to deceive.
"He was arrested for trying to pass himself off as a doctor."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Always implies deliberate deception. The subject is the deceiver, and the object is the thing being misrepresented. Used for both people and objects. Very common in contexts of fraud, counterfeiting, and impersonation.
Commonly used with
fake counterfeit copy original expert someone else
Forms
Base
pass off as
I/you/we/they
3rd person
passes off as
he/she/it
Past simple
passed off as
yesterday
Past participle
passed off as
have + pp
-ing form
passing off as
continuous
Understand "pass off as" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "pass off as" on Looplines