# palm off

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/palm-off
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To sell or dispose of (something) with the intent to deceive; to attempt to pass off a counterfeit or inferior product as genuine.

## Examples

- He tried to palm off a fake watch as a real one.
- You cannot palm off those cheap plastic toys as high-quality gifts.
- The dishonest dealer attempted to palm off a broken camera on an unsuspecting tourist at the market.
- The store manager tried to palm off the old floor model on me instead of giving me a brand new television from the warehouse.
- My coworker always tries to palm off his boring paperwork on the new interns so he can leave the office early.
- Despite his polished sales pitch, the merchant could not palm off the inferior goods on the experienced buyer, who immediately recognized the poor craftsmanship.

## Origin

From the 17th-century practice of palming, a technique in sleight of hand where a performer secretly retains an object in the palm of the hand. The term originates from the method of concealing a desirable item while ostensibly passing or leaving an undesired one, a deception achieved through manual dexterity rather than honest exchange.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.