fob off

British  

verb

1. to appease or trick (a person) with lies or excuses

2. to dispose of (goods) by trickery

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fob off Idioms  

1. Sell or dispose of goods by fraud or deception, as in They tried to fob off the zircon as a diamond . [c. 1600]

2. Put off or appease by deceitful means, as in We needed her help but were fobbed off by promises . [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

Ms Mannings reflected on how people often ask "are you OK?" - but it's a vague question, easy to "fob off".

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2025

I have never read any major news story so inappropriately world-weary — and so willing to fob off the press’ failures on the public.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2019

They put off replacement, defer maintenance and fob off concerns all in the name of “saving money” until something does happen.

From New York Times • Nov. 28, 2018

I wouldn’t put it past Roger to play on Pete’s ambition and sense of self-importance and fob off on him some of the non-recreational aspects of the job.

From Slate • May 8, 2012

Sometimes they turn market-gardeners and fob off the interviewer with remarks about caterpillars.

From Without Prejudice by Zangwill, Israel