# fob off onto

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fob-off-onto
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to give someone a task or an object that you do not want because it is boring or poor quality.

For teachers: to deceitfully or unfairly transfer a responsibility, task, or inferior item to another person to avoid dealing with it oneself.

## Examples

- He tried to fob the extra work off onto his assistant.
- The manager always fobs the difficult customers off onto the new staff members.
- The company attempted to fob the blame for the environmental disaster off onto a small subsidiary to protect its primary brand reputation.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He fobbed off the task to me." but "He fobbed the task off onto me." — the full three-part phrasal verb requires 'onto' when specifying the recipient of the unwanted item.

## Usage notes

- usually implies the recipient is being treated unfairly or given something of low value.
- Teaching tip: highlight the three-part structure and the negative connotation of laziness or dishonesty; 'fob off' can also be used alone to mean 'to give an excuse'.

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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.