as in to wish
to offer (something fake, useless, or inferior) as genuine, useful, or valuable
people who try to fob off to charities broken-down furniture that is fit only for the junkyard
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Recent Examples of fob off
Whether out of pride, ideological zeal or an instinct to haggle for even the tiniest advantage, Iranian leaders will be tempted to stall — to drag out negotiations, fob off the U.S. with flashy promises and try to trip up their American counterparts in highly technical details.
—
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 26 Feb. 2026
Your potential clients are terrified of being sold the dream then fobbed off to a junior team member.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
While attempting to film his daughter's dance, Miguel Angel Michel, 66, couldn't control his feet and eventually fobbed off his phone altogether, earning 4.2 million views on TikTok.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Not only does Israel not have spare luxury jets lying around to fob off on the American president, but the country took nine years to retrofit and launch its own version of Air Force One, and the process was a national fiasco.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
But despite previous transparency around the cost-cutting measures, employees inquiring about how the budget cuts have impacted their performance review will now be fobbed off.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023
Most chose instead to fob off the hard decisions to central bankers.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2021
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 26 Feb. 2026
Your potential clients are terrified of being sold the dream then fobbed off to a junior team member.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
While attempting to film his daughter's dance, Miguel Angel Michel, 66, couldn't control his feet and eventually fobbed off his phone altogether, earning 4.2 million views on TikTok.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Not only does Israel not have spare luxury jets lying around to fob off on the American president, but the country took nine years to retrofit and launch its own version of Air Force One, and the process was a national fiasco.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
But despite previous transparency around the cost-cutting measures, employees inquiring about how the budget cuts have impacted their performance review will now be fobbed off.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023
Most chose instead to fob off the hard decisions to central bankers.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fob off
Verb
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For voters wishing to participate in the special election, the last day to register is Monday, April 20, 2026.—
CBS News Atlanta Staff,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Daniel Radcliffe, the original Harry Potter in the movies, has given his blessing to the series and wished McLaughlin well in taking over the role.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Stamkos notched his third goal in two games by redirecting Forsberg's pinpoint pass off the right post and in.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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Wembanyama rewarded Bryant on the ensuing play with an alley-oop pass off a pick-and-roll that the Spurs rookie turned into a layup three minutes into the second quarter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Zehavi believes Iran and the IRGC look down on Hezbollah after its poor performance over the past few years, failing to inflict any significant damage against the IDF, failing to save the regime of Bashar al-Assad, and failing to prevent the damage inflicted against Iran during the 12 Day War.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
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For the country’s leadership, weakened militarily and more isolated than ever, inflicting economic suffering has become the most powerful weapon available.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hill noted that smaller businesses are acutely feeling the effects of tariffs imposed by the federal government on goods and products.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
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For instance, disputes over the HOA’s authority to impose certain assessments can delay the resolution of financial issues, leaving homeowners uncertain about how to resolve their financial liabilities.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The unique shape helps keep your palm off the table while offering a spot for your thumb to rest.—
Brenda Stolyar,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
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And there’s an art to delegating, without seemingly palming off work to your team.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2023
Verb
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Of the billionaires who line up on the Messeplatz for the First Choice VIP opening at Art Basel, few would be out of place palming handshakes and quaffing Champagne at the Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel Belvédère.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
20 Mar. 2026
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Slicing this way makes the lemons easier to palm.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fob off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fob%20off. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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