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."
inseparable
pass off as
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To deliberately present something or someone as something it is not, in order to deceive others.
In plain English
To trick someone into thinking that one thing is really something else.
What does "pass off as" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
inseparable
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "pass off as"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
fake counterfeit copy original expert someone else
How to conjugate "pass off as"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "pass off as" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pass off as" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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