Phrasal verb
palm off
Definition
phrasal verb. to get rid of something unwanted by giving it to someone else, often by tricking them. You use this when you pass a low-quality item to another person.
phrasal verb. to dispose of an undesirable or inferior item by persuading another party to accept it, often through deception. The verb is transitive and allows for optional separation of the particle.
Examples
“He often tries to palm off his extra work on his colleagues.”
“The dishonest dealer tried to palm off a flooded car on the young couple by cleaning the interior thoroughly.”
“The corporation was accused of trying to palm off its toxic assets onto unsuspecting investors just before the market crashed.”
Examples
simple
“He often tries to palm off his extra work on his colleagues.”
contextual
“The dishonest dealer tried to palm off a flooded car on the young couple by cleaning the interior thoroughly.”
complex
“The corporation was accused of trying to palm off its toxic assets onto unsuspecting investors just before the market crashed.”
Usage
Usually takes 'on' or 'onto' to indicate the person receiving the unwanted item.
Teaching tip
Focus on the 'on/onto' collocation; it helps to visualize the physical act of 'palming' something to trick someone.
Pitfall
He palmed off the extra work to me.
He palmed off the extra work on me.
The verb collocates with 'on' or 'onto' when identifying the person receiving the unwanted item.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
palm + off + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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