1 C1 idiomatic informal
to persuade someone to accept something unwanted or inferior
"He tried to pawn off his broken bike on his younger cousin."
separable
pawn off
C1 informal separable transitive
to get rid of something by making someone else accept it, often unfairly
In plain English
to give something you do not want to someone else
What does "pawn off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
to make someone else deal with a duty or responsibility that you do not want
"Don't pawn off your share of the project on the rest of us."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to move something away as if disposing of it through a pawnshop
Actually means
to give something you do not want to someone else
Usage tip
Usually negative. Common with unwanted objects, tasks, or responsibilities. Often followed by 'on' before the person receiving it in fuller forms.
Words that pair with "pawn off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
junk responsibility problem kids old car work
How to conjugate "pawn off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pawn off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pawns off
he/she/it
Past simple
pawned off
yesterday
Past participle
pawned off
have + pp
-ing form
pawning off
continuous
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