pass off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Pretend that something or someone is something else
Why “off”? Words, feelings, impressions, light, heat, or smells leave a source and reach others.
“He passed himself off as a doctor.”
“She passed the copy off as original.”
Don't confuse with
Pass off means pretend something is another thing. Pass up means choose not to take a chance.
Test yourself
“He passed himself off as a doctor.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
pass up
A contrast learners often mix up
Decline or fail to take an opportunity
bite off
Same off pattern: release
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
blow off
Same off pattern: release
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
come off
Same off pattern: release
Become detached from something; Happen successfully as planned; Stop taking a medicine or substance; Give a particular impression to others; Be withdrawn from sale or service
give off
Same off pattern: release
Produce a smell, light, heat or feeling
go off
Same off pattern: release
Stop working or be cut; Start making a loud warning sound; Become unsafe or unpleasant to eat or drink
read off
Same off pattern: release
Read aloud from a list or screen
reel off
Same off pattern: release
Recite a long list quickly and easily from memory
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