1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To pretend to be a person of a particular identity, profession, or type in order to be accepted or to deceive.
"She passed herself off as a journalist to gain access to the conference."
inseparable
pass oneself off as
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To deliberately pretend to be a different type of person or to have a different identity in order to deceive others.
In plain English
To trick people into thinking you are someone or something that you are really not.
What does "pass oneself off as" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Reflexive construction: the subject and the object of deception are the same person. Always implies intentional fraud or deception. Commonly found in crime reporting, fiction, and discussions of identity.
Words that pair with "pass oneself off as"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
doctor police officer expert official celebrity local
How to conjugate "pass oneself off as"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pass oneself off as
I/you/we/they
3rd person
passes oneself off as
he/she/it
Past simple
passed oneself off as
yesterday
Past participle
passed oneself off as
have + pp
-ing form
passing oneself off as
continuous
Hear "pass oneself off as" in the wild
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