What are the definitions of “fob off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Make or persuade someone to accept something.
I FOBBED it OFF Paul.
- 2Lie or deceive someone.
He FOBBED us OFF with a really stupid excuse.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “fob off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb fob off is to make or persuade someone to accept something, usually something of lesser value or quality. It can also mean to lie or deceive someone by providing a false or misleading explanation.
What are the different verb forms of “fob off”?
| Root Verb | fob off |
| Third Person Singular Present | fobs off |
| Present Participle | fobbing off |
| Simple Past | fobbed off |
| Past Participle | fobbed off |
Example
She tried to fob off the damaged goods on the unsuspecting customer.
Example
He fobs off his old clothes to his younger brother.
Example
She is fobbing off her responsibilities onto her coworkers.
Example
He fobbed off the fake painting as an original.
Example
The salesman had fobbed off the counterfeit products on the tourists.
What kind of phrasal verb is “fob off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“fob off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She fobbed off the damaged goods on the unsuspecting customer.
Example
He fobbed off the fake painting as an original.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“fob off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She fobbed off the damaged goods on the unsuspecting customer.
Example
He fobbed off the fake painting as an original.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “fob off”?
Good things to know
Does “fob off” have an informal or formal tone?
Fob off is considered an informal phrasal verb and is more commonly used in casual conversations. It is not typically used in formal settings or professional writing. Instead, more formal synonyms such as 'deceive' or 'mislead' can be used.
