palm off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Persuade someone to accept something inferior, often by deception
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“He palmed off a fake watch as genuine.”
“She palmed off stale bread as fresh.”
Don't confuse with
Palm off means persuade someone to accept something inferior, often by deception. Palm on means pass off a chore to someone else.
Test yourself
“He palmed off a fake watch as genuine.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
palm on
A contrast learners often mix up
Pass off a chore to someone else
back off
Same off pattern: separation
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
bite off
Same off pattern: separation
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Accept more work or responsibility than you can manage ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
block off
Same off pattern: separation
Block access to an area or route; Reserve a period of time for a specific purpose
blow off
Same off pattern: separation
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
break off
Same off pattern: separation
Suddenly end a relationship, discussion, activity, or official contact; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; Take a short pause from an activity
brush off
Same off pattern: separation
Dismiss something or someone as unimportant; Remove dust or dirt by sweeping it lightly; Refuse to talk to someone politely
chip off
Same off pattern: separation
Break a small piece from something
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